Scientific name: Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758
Bird group: Bitterns and Herons
Field characters. 90-98 cm. Differs from other herons by large size, grey upperparts, white head and neck, black band of loose feathers running back from the eye to terminate in a long, pendant crest; underparts greyish white with some black at the sides. Bill large, yellow; legs brownish. Bill and legs pinkish in the breeding season. Juvenile with more uniform grey plumage and no black on head. Usually stands motionless in or near water, either with neck stretched or with head retracted between "shoulders". Flight silhouette with retracted head and large neck (forming a bulge), long, broad and rounded wings, and protruding feet.
Voice. Usual note a loud, harsh 'rhaaa'; in breeding season at colony, a variety of squawks, yelps, and raucous notes.
Distribution. Rather common breeding bird, in small to large heronries.
Habitat. Usually nests in tall trees; frequents almost any kind of country with shallow waters affording it a suitable food supply.
Food. Largely feeds at daytime, taking mainly fish, amphibians, small mammals, insects, and reptiles and occasionally crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and birds. Prey captured by grabbing or stabbing while slowly wading or standing at water's edge.
Eggs. Unmarked, or sometimes with red/dark brown/white stains; ground colour pale blue/blue-green. Texture often with pin prick pores, not glossy. Shape subelliptical/short subelliptical. Size 61 x 43 mm (53-70 x 39-50), weight 60 g (48-69). Eggs closely resemble those of Purple Heron.