Herons are often seen standing as still as a statue on their long thin legs in shallow waters of ponds and lakes patiently waiting for their next meal to swim by. These tall birds spend most of their time alone feeding mainly on fish but can be tempted by the occasional tasty mole! When feeling particularly lazy the heron will visit gardens with ponds for a quick and easy snack. Make sure you look out for these incredible birds in flight, their slow-flapping wings and long legs held out behind make them hard to miss!
The heron is an easily recognised, grey-backed bird, with long legs, a long, white neck, bright yellow bill and a black eyestripe that continues as long, drooping feathers down the neck. Flies with its long legs stretched out, but its neck pulled in.
Found throughout town and countryside, on canals, ponds, lakes and rivers across the UK.
Herons nest in colonies called 'Heronries', often in the top of trees. Here, they make their large, ungainly nests out of twigs and lay 3-4 eggs. The young will fledge from the nest after about one and half months.
Grey herons are serially monogamous; they form pairs and remain together for only one breeding season, which extends from early February until May or early June. These birds breed in colonies known as heronries, usually in high trees close to lakes, the seashore, or other wetlands. Courtship involves the male calling from his chosen nesting site and on the arrival of the female, both birds participate in stretching and snapping ceremonies. Females lay 3 to 5 eggs and both parents incubate them for 25-26 days. Chicks hatch altricial and are fed by both parents, who look after them attentively; one of the adult birds stays at the nest for the first 20 days. The young can fly at about 50 days old, remaining for 10 to 20 more days more at the nest.
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