Facts about Grey Heron

1. 06

   The grey heron's hunting success rate reaches approximately 80 percent when striking at fish in shallow water, making it one of Europe's most efficient wading predators.

   Grey HeronMay 14sharehuntingbiologypredation
2. 05

   Solitary grey herons can live over 25 years in the wild, with one ringed individual in Britain recorded at 27 years old.

   Grey HeronMay 14sharelongevitybiologymeasurement
3. 04

   Twenty-five to thirty eggs are laid annually across all grey heron nests within a single large colony, with chicks fledging after approximately fifty days in the nest.

   Grey HeronMay 14sharereproductionbiologylifecycle
4. 03

   Breeding colonies of grey herons can contain over 500 nests built in tall trees, with pairs returning to the same nesting sites year after year.

   Grey HeronMay 14sharebehaviorbreedingecology
5. 02

   Grey herons can remain motionless for extended periods while hunting, standing in shallow water for over an hour waiting to strike fish with their sharp beaks.

   Grey HeronMay 14sharebehaviorhuntingbiology
6. 01

   At approximately 90 centimeters tall with a wingspan reaching 130 to 150 centimeters, the grey heron ranks among Europe's largest wading birds.

   Grey HeronMay 14sharemeasurementbiology