Grey heron

Latin Ardea cinerea L.
Estonian Hallhaigur

Also known as: harn, hernser, hernshaw

Status in Estonia

Breeding bird, irregular winterer.

Description

The grey heron is a large heron with a strong body, primarily grey top side and greyish-white underside. The curved shape of the neck in flight distinguishes it from the common crane. The greyish-yellow beak is straight and strong and the legs are greyish-yellow or grey. The wings are two-toned on top: grey with black primaries and primary coverts and two light spots on the bend of the wing. The adult bird’s forehead, crown and sides of the head are white; the sides of the crown and nape are black; the side of the neck is light grey-white with a white longitudinal stripe; the nape has a long, narrow black tuft. The young bird has a grey forehead and crown, a greyish-black nape with a small tuft, grey sides of the neck and cream in the middle of the neck.

Size

Body length 84–102 cm, wingspan 155–175 cm, body mass 930–1150 g.

Similar species

Eurasian bittern, common crane.

Distribution

It is distributed primarily throughout the Palaearctic, but also in North Africa, India and Sri Lanka. In Europe, the species is primarily found in Western and Northwest Europe as well as the Baltic countries; however, the grey heron does not breed in Finland. In the northern part of the area, it is migratory, whereas in the southern section, it is a flocking bird. Grey herons that breed in Estonia winter from the southern part of the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean countries, with a considerable proportion migrating to Africa.

Population

Estonia has 2000–3000 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

It arrives in Estonia in late March or early April. It departs in August and continues until the end of October. Some individuals rarely stay in Estonia for the winter.

Diet

It primarily consumes trash fish as well as insects, crustaceans, frogs, tadpoles, lizards, snakes and rodents.

Habitat

The grey heron is a common species in Estonia, but as a breeder, it is somewhat local, with its major breeding grounds found in the forests of Southern, Central and Eastern Estonia near bodies of water.

Nesting

It breeds in colonies. Nests, which can number between 5 and 300 in a colony, are often built on spruces but can also be built on pines or aspens. The nest is fluffy, translucent, cone-shaped with the tip pointed downward, made of dry twigs and lined with straw and twigs. The height of the nest is about 60 cm and the diameter is 80 cm. In March to April, the heron lays 3–6 green-blue eggs. Both parents incubate for an average of 26 days until the helpless chicks can only stand on their own after half a month. Both parents take care of the chicks. Young birds learn to fly when they’re about 55 days old and reach sexual maturity at two years old.

Conservation status and protection

Not under protection. Chicks are threatened by a sudden drop in temperature and an extended period of rain.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The grey heron is a common migratory and a locally widespread breeding bird in Lääne County. These birds can be spotted near bodies of water all over Lääne County. However, they are most active in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays, where dozens of birds gather to feed. Feeding grey herons can be seen from birdwatching towers near Matsalu Bay or the Silma Nature Reserve.

Estonia’s largest grey heron breeding colony, with over 300 pairs, is located in Lääne County, near the Laikmaa Museum. The grey heron breeding colony can also be seen in the Matsalu manor park.