Grey heron

Introduction: Grey herons (Ardea cinera) inhabit estuaries, rivers, lakes, marshes, lagoons and other suitable shallow water bodies. They are solitary birds, active both day and night, often standing still for long periods. Trees and cliffs are favoured roosting sites.

Distribution: Widespread throughout most of Namibia less for the most arid of regions. Found in Kunene River and Epupa Falls, Rundu, Caprivi, Chobe/Zambezi River, Etosha National Park, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Sandwich Harbour, Orange River, Fish River Canyon.

Diet: Stands and waits or hunts in shallow water for mostly fish and amphibians, insects, birds, reptiles and small rodents. Also eats worms, insects, turtle hatchlings and eels.

Description: A large heron with a narrow-feathered crest and scapular plumes. Ardea is Latin for 'heron' and cinera for 'grey'. White forehead, face, nape and sides of neck. Back, tail and upper wings grey.

Breeding: Females lay 1 to 4 eggs in a shallow basing of small sticks and reeds, incubated for up to 28 days.

Size: 95cm.

Weight: 2kg.