Gray Heron Identification

Adult

A large, gray heron with a heavy, daggerlike bill. Adult has a broad black stripe above and behind each eye, a white central crown stripe and white face, black shoulder patches, dark gray upperparts (with lighter gray plumes in breeding season), and a grayish-white neck with black streaks down the middle. The bill is orange in full breeding plumage.

Juvenile

Juvenile is duller overall, with a muted head pattern that lacks the crisp black-and-white stripes of an adult. The neck is the same light gray as the back and wings. Juvenile lacks plumes and has duller bill and legs than adult.

Adult

A large, long-necked heron found in lakes, ponds, and other wetlands. Adult in breeding plumage has gray upperparts (with lighter gray plumes), a grayish-white neck with black streaks down the front, a white face and crown stripe, a broad black stripe above and behind each eye, and a long black plume extending from the back of the head.

Adult

Gray Herons fly with the neck tucked in, creating a bulge below the back of the head. In flight, note the two-toned upperwing pattern: black flight feathers and gray inner coverts, with a small white patch at the bend of the wing.

Adult

Underwings appear more uniformly dark gray. During peak breeding season, both the bill and legs can become bright orange-red.

Immature

Immature is duller overall and lacks the crisp white-and-black facial patterning of an adult. This heron eats mostly fish, which it catches by standing motionless—or in this case, walking slowly in shallow water—before quickly striking.

Adult (Mauritanian)

The rare “Mauritanian” Gray Heron is much paler than the common, widespread “Gray” Gray Heron.

Adult (Madagascar)

The “Madagascar” Gray Heron is typically larger than “Gray” Gray Heron, with a larger bill and longer legs.

Adult

Performs treetop courtship displays that include elaborate stretches, erected plumes, calls, and bill snaps.

Adult

Forages in a wide variety of shallow wetlands, including lake shores, marshes, ricefields, and fishponds.

Adult

Female builds stick nest from materials delivered by male. Nests are high up in treetops and often reused from year to year.

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Identification

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.

Relative Size

Larger than a Black-crowned Night-Heron and smaller than a Common Crane.

Size chart showing sparrow to goose sized

goose-sized or larger

Measurements

Both Sexes
- Length: 35.4-38.6 in (90-98 cm)
- Weight: 36.0-73.1 oz (1020-2073 g)

Regional Differences

Ornithologists recognize three distinctive groups within the Gray Heron species: "Gray,” "Mauritanian," and "Madagascar." The “Gray” group is the most common, widespread group, found across most of this species’ range in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The “Mauritanian” Gray Heron, confined to coastal Mauritania and Senegal in West Africa, is much paler than birds in the “Gray” group. The “Madagascar” Gray Heron is typically larger than individuals in the “Gray” group, with a larger bill, longer legs, and brighter bare skin colors during courtship.