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Gray Heron

Ardea cinerea

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
Gray Heron, photographed by Holger Krisp

Photo: Holger Krisp · Wikimedia · CC-BY 3.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Gray Heron

Generally quite common and conspicuous in wetland habitats from marshes and tidal flats to small ponds, ditches, and wet fields; nests colonially in tall trees. Mainly seen as singles or in small groups, standing quietly in or at the edge of water, less often hunting in fields. Plumage mostly gray overall, with paler neck; adult has white crown, black eyebrows, and black shoulder patch. Like other herons and egrets, flies with neck pulled in to form a bulge.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 179 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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