- Herons are supreme hunters, with long strong beaks on the end of
a long neck which uncoils to deliver a quick, powerful lunge.
- Adult herons can fly up to 30km away from home to visit good hunting
sites.
- During breeding, legs and bill can become redder.
- In flight looks very large with broad, arched wings.
- Herons make a loud squawk when flying and croak when sitting in the
nest.
- They typically breed in woodland areas that are close to the water.
- The mother lays four or five blue-green eggs.
- It breeds between March and July.
- Most herons form monogamous pairs and both parents look after the
young.
- Heron nests can measure 3 foot across.
- Herons can stand for several minutes with their necks tensed, waiting
for an unsuspecting fish to swim into reach.
- Alternatively, they will stalk the shallows searching for food. Then,
quick as a flash, they will dart down and spear the prey with a long
dagger-like bill.
- Both adults and young herons have a partial web between the middle
and outer toes, which may allow them to swim.
- When standing completely still, amongst the reeds, the Grey Heron
is so well camouflaged that it is almost completely invisible.
- The grey heron is Britain's largest common bird after the mute swan.
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