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Identification Facts. Herons are large, striking birds from the Ardeidae family that contains some 64 species. Herons, bitterns and egrets belong to the same family and are all wading birds with long legs, necks and bills.
Description of the Heron. Because they are such a diverse family of wading birds, each species of Heron is different. Generally speaking, they have long legs and long curved necks, though some species are shorter than others. Their beaks, or bills, are normally long and pointed. Their plumage, or feathers, varies greatly in color from species ...
Herons are (in the main) tall, long-legged, long-billed wading birds. They can be found in wetlands throughout the world, searching for fish, crabs and occasionally, frogs, small mammals and even young birds.
Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 74 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genus Botaurus are referred to as bitterns, and, together with the zigzag heron, or zigzag bittern, in the monotypic genus Zebrilus, form a ...
How to identify. The heron is an easily recognised, grey-backed bird, with long legs, a long, white neck, bright yellow bill and a black eyestripe that continues as long, drooping feathers down the neck. Flies with its long legs stretched out, but its neck pulled in.
How to identify. Grey Herons are unmistakeable – tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.
Key facts. Scientific name: Ardea cinerea. Status: Resident breeding species and winter migrant. Breeding birds: 13,000 nests. Wintering birds: 63,000. Conservation status: Green. Family: Bitterns, herons & egrets. Length: 90 – 98 cm. Wingspan: 175 – 195 cm. Weight: 1010 – 2080 g. Typical lifespan: 5 years. What do grey herons look like?
