DISTRIBUTION:

The Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) is natural to Europe, Asia and Africa. To the east of its distribution some reach the Philippines, but not to Australia. To the west some make it as far as Bermuda, Greenland and the Lesser Antilles.

DISPLACEMENT:

Those that nest to the extreme north of the distribution migrate to winter in warmer regions. Some remain in Europe the entire year.

ELEVATION:

Documented from sea level to 900 meters.

HABITAT:

Usually seen on the water edge of the water deposits; can be fresh water, brackish or saltwater.

REPRODUCTION:

Nesting is done in colonies and solitary. Shows preference for building the nest on trees, but sometimes it is done on rocks, among the aquatic emerging grass and on the ground. The clutch is three to four, could be as many as six, greenish blue eggs.

FOOD:

The diet consists of just about anything it can fish or get with the long bill, like: fish, small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, vegetable material, and so on. Active 24 hours a day.

DESCRIPTION:

Both sexes have similar appearance. It reaches a length from 90 to 98 cm. The bill is about 11 cm long.

FLIGHT:

Once it becomes stable, beats the wings slowly. The neck is maintained curved, the head and beak extend forward beyond the body. Legs are extended backwards, extending beyond the tail.

OTHER NAMES:

The Gray Heron in Spanish is called “Garza Real”.