14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey Heron is a distinctive species with grey, black, and white plumage. It is often seen along rivers or lake margins, or standing in flooded fields.

In flight their large size, impressive wingspan, long legs, and folded neck give them an unmistakable silhouette. Largely silent away from colonies, flight is sometimes accompanied by a harsh 'kraank' call.

Grey Herons gather to nest in treetop sites called heronries, some of which have been occupied for many decades. These have been monitored in the UK since 1928 through the Heronries Census. Overall the UK's breeding population has increased, with numbers peaking in the early 2000, but with some more recent declines.

Grey Herons are large, solitary, or colonial wading birds known for their patient hunting, standing perfectly still in shallow water before striking fish and amphibians with their dagger-like bills. They are active at dawn and dusk, frequently breeding in large, loud colonies called heronries, often in tall trees. 

Hunting and Feeding Behaviour

Wait-and-Strike: They are primarily ambush predators, standing motionless—often on one leg—to wait for prey, or stalking slowly through water, this is from Animal Diversity Web. 

Diet: While they eat fish, frogs, small mammals, insects, and eels, they are opportunistic and will visit garden ponds for easy prey. 

Handling Prey: Larger prey is stabbed or shaken to death. They often manipulate prey to swallow it head-first, this is from the BDI. 

Active Hunting Times: Main hunting occurs at dawn and dusk, though they can be active throughout the day.