Features& Description
The Gray Heron, from its Latin name “Ardea cinerea”, is a large, robust-looking wader with a predominantly gray and grayish-white body and a 1.75 m wingspan.
It has a strong greyish-yellow beak (orange-yellow in mating season), greyish-yellow legs and a black nape with a long nuchal feather.
The neck is striped with grayish white and black.
Its silhouette in flight is easily recognizable, with a folded neck, parenthesis-like wings and slow, outstretched legs.
Habitat(Biotope)
The Gray Heron frequents all fresh or brackish waters, provided they are well-stocked with fish.
In the off-season, it is also present in agricultural environments, where it hunts voles and other terrestrial prey.
When it comes to breeding, it prefers wooded areas with tall trees for nesting. Large parks, canals and waterways are ideal nesting sites.
Locally, reed beds are chosen for nesting.
Behavior& habits
The Gray Heron is a gregarious bird, except when fishing or hunting in meadows.
Sometimes in large groups, it moves slowly as it approaches, plunging its beak after a long static stalk to seize its prey.
When not active, it sleeps with its head tucked into its shoulders, sometimes completely buried in its plumage, on one leg.
Reproductionand immature
The Gray Heron is monogamous and builds its nest either high up in the trees (in the canopy) or in the reeds, using branches and twigs. It can be reused from one year to the next. The nests are quite large and often found in the middle of other Grey Heron nests, as the species is often found in colonies.
The female lays 3 to 5 eggs, which hatch after 30 days.
The young will not leave the nest for 2 months, and will not be able to fly until 55 days later.
Cryor Voice
The Gray Heron emits a usually sonorous, sour, croaking call “kah-ahrk!”
Grey heron
Grey heron
Heron Cendre
