Grey Heron

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Bird 🦤
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Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Size
90–98 cmUK's tallest common bird — about the height of a 10-year-old child
Weight
1–2 kgAbout the weight of a bag of sugar
Lifespan
5 years
Rarity
Common
M vs F
Sexes look identical
Habitat
Rivers, lakes, ponds, estuaries, coastal wetlands — any water with fish
Best time
Year-round
Conservation
UK: Green LC
💡 Did you know?
Grey Herons can stand motionless for hours waiting for fish, then strike with a spear-like beak faster than the human eye can follow
Their S-shaped neck is a spring-loaded strike mechanism — they retract it in flight to balance their heavy head, unlike storks or cranes which fly with necks extended
Often confused with
Crane (flies with neck extended much rarer) Purple Heron (darker more slender — rare visitor)
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