Grey Heron
Afrikaans name: Bloureier
Grey Heron hunting
Ardea cinerea
The Grey Heron is a large heron that is up to 1 metre tall. It weighs between 1 and 2 kg's. Their wingspan varies from 1.5 metres to almost 2 metres.
It is a common bird that can be found over most of South Africa in suitable habitat. Unlike the Black-headed Heron the Grey Heron is normally associated with water habitats. It is found around dams, ponds, estuaries and other slow-moving bodies of water. The Black-headed Heron is often found in grassland although they may roost and nest near, or over, water.
Grey Herons have a wide distribution across Africa, Europe and Asia. It occurs in most regions apart from desert, mountainous areas and colder regions. Typically they are residents in an area but some migration is seen from Europe to Africa, presumably in the winter months.
It breeds communally along with other herons, egrets, ibises and cormorants. They build their nests from sticks and reuse it every year. Each breeding season they add more sticks with the effect that the nest gets bigger and bigger until it collapses from the weight or is blown down. The female normally lays between 3 and 5 bluish-green eggs. Both sexes tend to the eggs and chicks.
The Grey Heron feeds on fish, amphibians, crustaceans and insects. Smaller mammals and birds may also be taken if the opportunity arises. I once saw one catch and swallow an unsuspecting Laughing Dove that had come down to the waters edge for a drink.
Grey Heron
Grey Herons are similar in looks to Black-headed Herons. The Grey Heron is white and not black on the sides of the head. The neck is a pale grey unlike the two-tone colour of the Black-headed Heron. In flight the underwing of the Grey Heron is more uniform in colour. Click the link for more pictures showing the differences between Grey and Blackheaded Herons.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
---|---|---|
1st | 54 | Ardea cinerea cinerea |
2nd | 54 | Ardea cinerea |
3rd | 54 | Ardea cinerea |
4th | 54 | Ardea cinerea |
5th | 62 | Ardea cinerea |
6th | 62 | Ardea cinerea |
7th | 438 | Ardea cinerea |
Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
---|---|---|
1st | 54 | Common Grey Heron |
2nd | 54 | Grey Heron |
3rd | 54 | Grey Heron |
4th | 54 | Grey Heron |
5th | 62 | Grey Heron |
6th | 62 | Grey Heron |
7th | 438 | Grey Heron |
Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
---|---|---|
1st | 54 | Blou-reier |
2nd | 54 | Blou Reier |
3rd | 54 | Blou Reier |
4th | 54 | Blou Reier |
5th | 62 | Bloureier |
6th | 62 | Bloureier |
7th | 438 | Bloureier |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 28Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 36
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 30
Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 354
Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 18
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 42
The Herons Handbook - Author: James Hancock and James Kushlan - Published: 1984 - Page: 43
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 20
The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 102
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 129
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 18
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 60
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 56
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 45
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 45
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 30
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 27
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 20
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 74
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 178
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 74
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 25
Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 52
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 52
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 26
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 8
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 29
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 13
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 19
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 3
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 20
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 38
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 52
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 171
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 171
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 35
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