Grey Heron

Description:

The grey heron is a large strongly built heron (84-102 cm neck extended, wingspan 155-175 cm). Its plumage is largely grey above, and off-white below. It feeds by stalking its victims in shallow water, catching fish, frogs, and insects, and sometimes small mammals, reptiles and birds.

Habitat:

Spotted on a rock at the edge of a small town marina, on a large central European lake. Locally these birds reside around the lake in wooded and reed areas, often in colonies. I've never seen one right in town before!

Notes:

Native throughout temperate Europe and Asia, and also parts of Africa. The second shot shows that it flies with its long neck retracted in a S-shape. This characterizes herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks in flight.