IDENTITY RECORD

Heron Grey

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Ardea cinerea

DescrIption

I am the biggest wader in Europe. I am about 98 cm tall and my wingspan can range from 175 to 195 cm. I weigh between 600 grams and 1.2 kilos. I have gray plumage and a distinctive silhouette with an S-shaped neck at rest and in flight.

Behavior

Diet

I feed mainly on fish. My dagger-like beak is a formidable weapon when it comes to harpooning my prey. I am also partial to amphibians, crayfish and small mammals that I can hunt on the meadows.

Reproduction

I live in colonies that are called “heronries”. These colonies can count up to several hundred nests. I lay between three and five eggs per clutch.

Lifespan

I can live up to 25 years

Where and when can you find me in the reserve ?

Habitat

• I do not breed in Rohrschollen Island Nature Reserve, but I do like to hunt for fish along the Bauerngrundwasser or the Vieux Rhin. At nightfall, I rest on a “dormitory” tree out of harm from predators.

When to spot me

You can see me around the waterbodies in the reserve all year round.

Conservation status

• Red list of nesting birds in metropolitan France: Least Concern (LC).
• Red list of endangered nesting birds in Alsace: Least Concern (LC).