Class:  Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Ardeidae
Species:Ardea cinerea

Distribution: It is found throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Habitat: They prefer areas in the vicinity of lakes, ponds and rivers.

Description: 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 slender crest. It has a powerful pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted.

Life span:
Longest recorded age is 25 years.

Diet:
They feed on fish, amphibians, mollusks, insects and even small rodents and birds.

Behavior:
Grey herons wade through shallow water searching for prey such as small fish and amphibians. When they have found a suitable location, they will stand motionless waiting for the right moment to stab the prey with its beak. Herons fly with the head drawn back and feet trailing behind. The wing beats are slow and the curved wings form an m-shape. Some individuals migrate to Western Europe over winter.

Reproduction:
Grey herons breed in colonies, or sometimes solitarily, typically in woodland near to water. Nests are made from dry twigs and are constructed in tall trees. Females lay 4-5 blue-green eggs, which are incubated by both parents in turn for about 28 days.

Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wiki/Grey_heron
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/144670/0