Ardea cinerea

Interesting facts: The grey heron, which is nearly one meter tall, mainly lives of fish, but also preys on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, young birds and insects. It slowly sneaks up to its prey and stabs lightning fast. It swallows its prey whole. The nest is built high up in deciduous or coniferous trees.

Characteristics: Mostly grey overall appearance with white head and black side crown, in the mating colours long black and back and white decorative neck feathers and on breast and sides; long yellow legs with strikingly long toes, strong beak

Body length: Longer than 30 cm (longer than a blackbird)

Distribution: Wetland areas, lakes, canals and also on arable land