Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea· 鹭科(9 photos)
Grey Heron
90-98 cm; span 1.7-1.9 m. Tall as Great Egret but bulkier. Grey with white head and neck; dark streaks down throat; long white plumes on lower neck; black stripe from above eye to hind crown with black plumes from hind crown in breeding birds; black and white shoulder-patch evident in flight. Bill yellow-grey, dagger-like; lores pale yellow; legs yellow-brown. Flight slow, ponderous, long bluish 'fingers' prominent.
- Voice
- harsh 'kraank'.
- Habitat
- freshwater and marine wetlands, flooded pasture.
- Range & Status
- widespread Europe, Asia, Africa; nearest breeding population Java. Several unconfirmed reports before 2 accepted records from Busselton, WA in May and June 2002; possible in coastal w. and n. Aust.








