Captured at Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Heron Grey Heron From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Grey Heron Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae Genus: Ardea Species: A. cinerea Binomial name Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 Light green: summer Dark green: all year Blue: winter The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions. It has become common in summer even inside the Arctic circle along the Norwegian coast. Contents [hide] 1 Description 2 Taxonomy 3 Behaviour 3.1 Food and feeding 3.2 Breeding 4 References 5 External links [edit] Description A. c. jouyi, Pak Thale, Phetchaburi, Thailand It is a large bird, standing 90–100 cm tall, with a 175–195 cm wingspan and a weight of 1–2 kg. Its plumage is largely grey above, and off-white below. Adults have a white head with a broad black supercilium and slender crest, while immatures have a dull grey head. It has a powerful, pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The call is a loud croaking "fraaank". The Australian White-faced Heron is often incorrectly called Grey Heron. In Ireland the grey heron is often colloquially called " crane ". [edit] Taxonomy There are four subspecies: Ardea cinerea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758. Europe, Africa, western Asia Ardea cinerea jouyi Clark, 1907. Eastern Asia Ardea cinerea firasa Hartert, 1917. Madagascar Ardea cinerea monicae Jouanin & Roux, 1963. Islands off Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania. It is closely related and similar to the American Great Blue Heron, which differs in slightly larger size, and chestnut-brown flanks and thighs.