Grey Heron juvenile

Description:

Is a young heron that lives in the ponds of the Kasteelpark Arenberg in Heverlee. I see it every morning as I arrive to my workplace. It is a large bird, standing up to 100 cm (39 in) tall. Its plumage is largely grey above, and off-white below. Adults have a white head with a broad black supercilium and slender crest, while immatures have a dull grey head. It has a powerful, pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). The call is a loud croaking "fraaank".

Habitat:

It feeds in shallow water, catching fish, frogs, and insects with its long bill. Herons will also take small mammals, reptiles and occasionally warbler nestlings, plovers, young and adult snipes, takes ducklings and tern chicks and other small birds. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.