Heron

Last updated: April 6, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Joseph Scott Photography/Shutterstock.com

The heron has a long, curved neck in the shape of an S


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Heron Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Ciconiiformes
Family
Ardeidae

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Heron Conservation Status


Heron Facts

Main Prey
Fish, Insects, Molluscs
Fun Fact
The heron has a long, curved neck in the shape of an S
Distinctive Feature
Long thin legs and pointed beak
Wingspan
Up to 91in
Incubation Period
A month
Habitat
Wetland regions
Predators
Fox, Mink, Raccoon
Diet
Carnivore
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Favorite Food
Fish
Type
Bird
Slogan
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
Nesting Location
Bushes, cliffs, or trees
Age of Molting
2-3 months
Migratory
1

Heron Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Black
  • White
Skin Type
Feathers
Top Speed
40 mph
Lifespan
15 - 20 years
Weight
1.5kg - 3kg (3.3lbs - 6.6lbs)
Height
85cm - 140cm (34in - 55in)

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Noted for its S-shaped neck and sharp, pointed beak, the heron is a family of long-legged birds that can be found in many different climates all over the planet.

3 Amazing Facts!

  • The heron is a solitary predator with a highly territorial streak, but some species come together in large colonies consisting of more than a hundred birds for the breeding season.
  • The heron has several different calls to express surprise and alarm or to identify other members of the species.
  • Some male herons develop all manner of elaborate plumages and crests for attracting females in the breeding season.

Scientific Name

The scientific name of the heron family is Ardeidae, which is derived from the Latin word for the heron: ardea. There are 65-72 recognized species in this family, but some of these species are egrets and bitterns instead of true herons. This mix-up of species has resulted from much confusion and disagreement about the classification of herons, but they are ordinarily placed in one of two genera: Ardea and Egretta. Then there are about 100 subspecies!

There are three main types, each with its own distinct anatomy and social behavior.

  • The day herons – including the Great Blue, the Black-headed, the Grey, and the Goliath heron. They feed during the day with their long necks stretched out into the water.
  • The night herons – including the Black-crowned night heron and the Yellow-crowned night heron. They feed at night with their short legs and thicker bills.
  • The Tiger herons, including just six species, are solitary birds with striped plumage that resemble a tiger. Most of these reside in Central or South America.

Heron vs. Crane

Unlike herons, which belong to the order Pelecaniformes, cranes belong to the order Gruidae, and have only 15 species as opposed to herons which have about 72 species.

While there’s no doubt that herons and cranes bear a close resemblance to each other, it is worth noting that the former fly with their necks tucked in while the latter fly with their necks outstretched. Herons also have longer necks and usually have longer beaks too; they usually lay between 2-6 eggs, while cranes usually lay only a pair.

Heron vs. Egret

The biological differences between the heron and egret are fairly minimal, besides the fact that egrets have a whiter appearance, especially in the breeding season. They can even occur in the same genus together.

Size, Appearance & Behavior

The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) standing and fishing in the water.

This tri-colored heron is an example of the unique color schemes found in the heron family.

©Karel Bartik/Shutterstock.com

These birds are a highly diverse family with all kinds of unique color schemes and appearances, including black, grey, blue, yellow, and much more. The most common and prominent characteristic is its very long neck, crooked in the middle to resemble an S shape, which helps to support the heavy bill and head. When the heron takes flight, its head curves back against the body, and the feet dangle down. Few other birds fly in this manner.

Other prominent characteristics of the bird include the large wings, the big, sharp bill, and the exceptionally long legs to wade in the water. Part of the body is covered in a fine powder, created as a result of disintegrating feathers, which enables the bird to clean itself.

This is a large bird, usually measuring between one and five feet tall. The largest species, the goliath heron, eclipses all others in size. It stands up to five feet tall and has a wingspan of seven feet and seven inches.

Habitat and Location

These birds are endemic to freshwater wetlands, lakes, and ponds all over the world. Although most common in the tropics, it is found in almost every single region except for the driest deserts, the tallest mountains, and the frigid Arctic and Antarctic. It is exceptionally well-adapted for the environment in which it lives. This also means the heron is highly sensitive to any disruptions in its native habitat.

Migration Pattern and Timing

These are highly nomadic birds, moving from place to place as circumstances dictate. The distance over which it will travel depends on the climate of its normal breeding grounds. Southern populations reside in a similar place all year round, while the northernmost populations tend to move south for the winter where the water will not freeze over and prevent them from feeding. The great blue heron, for instance, will travel between Southern Canada and the Southern United States or even Central America.

Diet

Given its wide distribution across the world, these birds have a very eclectic diet. There are generally two types of feeding strategies: the generalist, which feeds on whatever happens to be available, or the specialist, which feeds on a very specific set of prey. Either way, it plays a vital role in controlling prey populations.

These birds prey upon fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects near the shore. After wading into the shallow parts of the water, the bird identifies animal prey with its sharp sight and then strikes out quickly with its beak.

If you’re ready to dive into the complete diet of herons, make sure to check out our guide “What Do Herons Eat? 25+ of their Favorite Foods?

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Reproductive strategies tend to vary by species, but generally, in the breeding season, the male attracts a single mate with an impressive courtship display in which he ruffles his plumage and flies around. Once the female has chosen an appropriate mate, the pair produces up to seven eggs at a time.

These birds construct a large platform of sticks in bushes, cliffs, or trees. These nests are part of larger colonies called heronries or rookeries.

After an incubation period lasting for several weeks, the chicks emerge from the eggs with undeveloped bodies. Both parents put a significant amount of time into the care of their young to ensure they grow properly. They share incubation, nest construction, and feeding duties. The largest chicks tend to receive the most food from the parents since they are the most likely to survive.

It usually takes anywhere between two and three months before the chicks grow their full flight feathers and become more independent. Many of these chicks won’t survive their first year of life, but those that do usually live up to 15 or 20 years in the wild.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

Due to its size, an adult bird has few consistent predators. However, several animals do prey upon eggs, juveniles, and smaller herons, including raccoons, hawks, eagles, ravens, crows, bears, vultures, and much more.

Given their massive range, most species are currently classified as least concern by the IUCN Red List and require no special conservation efforts. But a few, in particular, are endangered or critically endangered, including the white-bellied heron of the Himalayas and the Madagascar pond heron. The island-specific night heron from Mauritius, Bermuda, and elsewhere were driven to extinction shortly after they were discovered. More often than not, the bird is threatened by the loss and degradation of wetland habitat.

Population

These are some of the most common water birds around the world. It is estimated that the great blue heron of North America has up to 5 million mature individuals remaining in the wild, while the grey heron of Eurasia and Africa contains up to 2.5 million mature individuals, but particularly where habitat is threatened, some of the rarer species are on the precipice of extinction.

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Heron FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Herons herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Herons are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.

What Kingdom do Herons belong to?

Herons belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do Herons belong to?

Herons belong to the phylum Chordata.

What class do Herons belong to?

Herons belong to the class Aves.

What family do Herons belong to?

Herons belong to the family Ardeidae.

What order do Herons belong to?

Herons belong to the order Ciconiiformes.

What type of covering do Herons have?

Herons are covered in feathers.

In what type of habitat do Herons live?

Herons live in wetland regions.

What is the main prey for Herons?

Herons prey on fish, insects, and mollusks.

What are some predators of Herons?

Predators of Herons include foxes, minks, and raccoons.

What are some distinguishing features of Herons?

Herons have long, thin legs and pointed beaks.

How many eggs do Herons lay?

Herons typically lay 4 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Herons?

Herons inhabit wetlands around the world!

What is the scientific name for the Heron?

The scientific name for the Heron is Ardeidae.

What is the lifespan of a Heron?

Herons can live for 15 to 20 years.

What is the Heron's wingspan?

The Heron has a wingspan of 150cm to 195cm (60in to 77in).

What is a heron?

The heron is a family of birds with long legs and beaks that reside near wetlands and water habitats. It is a member of the order of large water birds known as the Pelecaniformes, which includes the pelicans, ibises, and spoonbills.

What eats herons?

A full-sized adult heron has few enemies in the wild, but younger or smaller heron are preyed upon by all kinds of carnivorous mammals and birds.

What do herons eat?

The heron consumes fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects.

What's the difference in a heron vs. an egret?

The egret is a member of the heron family. Most of them belong to the genera of Egretta and Ardea. Although there are few significant biological differences between the egret and a true heron species, the egret does tend to have white or buff plumage.

What is the difference between a heron vs. a crane?

Due to the similarities in appearance and habitat, the herons and cranes are often confused with each other, but cranes actually belong to an entirely separate order, Gruiformes, which is not closely related to the heron at all. The main differences are that the crane has a shorter, straighter neck and a smaller beak. Cranes also tend to flock together in wide-open spaces with little tree cover.

Does the heron migrate?

Yes, but even within species, only the northernmost populations tend to migrate long distances.

How many eggs does the heron lay?

Depending on the species, the heron can lay up to seven eggs per clutch.

How fast does the heron fly?

The heron can usually fly up to 30 miles per hour.

What is the heron’s wingspan?

Wingspan varies by species. The largest species, the goliath heron, has a wingspan of nearly 8 feet, but most species only have a wingspan of a few feet.

When do herons leave the nest?

Most heron chicks leave the nest within three months of hatching.

How do Herons have babies?

Herons lay eggs.

What is the difference between a stork and a heron?

The key differences between stork and herons are in their appearance, size, and family. Surprisingly, these look-alike birds belong to different families. The stork belongs to the Ciconiidae family, while the heron belongs to the Ardeidae family.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Britannica, Available here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/heron
  2. National Wildlife Federation, Available here: https://blog.nwf.org/2011/03/is-this-a-heron-egret-or-crane/

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