DSC0151 Grey Heron... - a photo on Flickriver

            Grey Heron - Ardea Cinerea
 
The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged predatory wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water or stalking its prey through the shallows.

The birds breed colonially in spring in "heronries", usually building their nests high in trees. A clutch of usually three to five bluish-green eggs is laid. Both birds incubate the eggs for a period of about 25 days, and then both feed the chicks, which fledge when seven or eight weeks old. Many juveniles do not survive their first winter, but if they do, they can expect to live for about five years.

In Ancient Egypt, the deity Bennu was depicted as a heron in New Kingdom artwork. In Ancient Rome, the heron was a bird of divination. Roast heron was once a specially-prized dish; when George Neville became Archbishop of York in 1465, four hundred herons were served to the guests.

The grey heron has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, and spoonbills, which extend their necks.

Fish, amphibians, small mammals and insects are taken in shallow water with the heron's long bill. It has also been observed catching and killing juvenile birds such as ducklings, and occasionally takes birds up to the size of a water rail. It may stand motionless in the shallows, or on a rock or sandbank beside the water, waiting for prey to come within striking distance. Alternatively, it moves slowly and stealthily through the water with its body less upright than when at rest and its neck curved in an "S". It is able to straighten its neck and strike with its bill very fast.

Small fish are swallowed head first, and larger prey and eels are carried to the shore where they are subdued by being beaten on the ground or stabbed by the bill. They are then swallowed, or have hunks of flesh torn off. For prey such as small mammals and birds or ducklings, the prey is held by the neck and either drowned, suffocated, or killed by having its neck snapped with the heron's beak, before being swallowed whole. The bird regurgitates pellets of indigestible material such as fur, bones and the chitinous remains of insects. The main periods of hunting are around dawn and dusk, but it is also active at other times of day. At night it roosts in trees or on cliffs, where it tends to be gregarious.

Population:

UK breeding:

13,000 nests

UK wintering:

63,000 birds

Taken on: March 18, 2019

Tags:

Grey Heron

Heron

Avian

Animal

Animals

Birds.

Bird

Bird Photography

Wildlife.

Wildbirds

Wetlands

Water-Birds

Waterways

Waders

Wildlife Photography

Jeff Lack Photography

Lakes

Ponds

Reservoirs

Reeds

Reed Beds

Scrapes

Estuaries

Estuary

Countryside

Coastal Birds

Coast

Coastline

Nikon

Nature

Nature Photography

Ornithology « less

Sets appears in: • Grey Heron

Groups appears in: • Wildlife Photography • UK Nature more » • Water Birds • NATUREPIX • UK Wildlife Trusts • Unlimited Birds • WelshFlickrCymru • TMI: your ART & NATURE **NO PEOPLE OR MAN-MADE OBJECTS** P1♥C1 • Wings Of The World • NATURE'S BEST • Wales Online Photography Flickr Group • Official National Geographic Group • A Little Beauty - with invitation Only (post 1 comment 2) • Nikon Nature Photography • Wildlife UK • NatureLovers • Wales Birders • #4 PLATINUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 1 (P2-A2) with CODE • the RSPB • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Photographing Birds • Wildlife of the British Isles • Nikon - Nature • RSPB Love Nature • World of Birds • UK - Wildlife & Nature • Nature- The Best of Flickr. • Nature's wildlife animals and birds • Nikon WILDLIFE & NATURE • Uk birdwatchers • #3 PALLADIUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 5 (P2-A10) with CODE • Wild Bird Photography • Welsh Wildlife Group • Spectacular Bird Photos • The Best Wildlife Photography on Planet Earth. • #2 18K Gold wildlife/ Post 1 - Award 3 (P2-A6) with CODE • World of Wildlife • UK wild life watching • Nikon Nature • RSPB Cymru Photo Group • NATURE'S SPIRIT (by invitation) (post 1/award 1) • Wildlife and Landscape Photography • Treasures of the World • Wildlife Sightings UK • Nature's Elite/PLEASE ONLY NATURE PHOTOS • The Wonderful Wildlife UK • This is Nature • Worldwide Fauna • The World of Birds • Taken in Wales • Stunning wildlife • Birds..wild birds field guide of Britain • UK-Birds & Wildlife • The Best of British Birds and Wildlife • South Wales Wildlife Photography « less

Stats: 6,796 views / 100 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: