Heron facts

Herons are in the order of Ciconiiformes, along with other large wading birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.¹ The iconic image of a heron is a bird which stands stock still on stilt-like legs, has a deep crook in its neck, a bill like a slim dagger, and wispy feathers protruding from the back of its head. However, not all herons are tall and imposing; the heron family—Ardeidae—consists of herons, egrets and bitterns, which come in varying shapes and sizes.²

Diurnal herons (active during the day) are typically taller, more elegant, and move almost like a puppet in slow-motion. The nocturnal species such as night herons and bitterns tend to be smaller, more compact, camouflaged, and can appear to barely have a neck at all until they extend it, but they still have relatively long bills for their body size. Bitterns are also more solitary than herons and egrets which often come together in large colonies or heronries.³ 

1. Some heron species nest together in huge numbers called heronries.⁴
2. Herons, egrets, and bitterns are all considered “herons”.⁵
3. The largest heron is the goliath heron found in Africa, which grows to 140cm (55 inches) and 2,600g. The smallest is the little bittern found in Australia, which is just 25cm (9.8 inches) long, weighs 85g and can be grasped in one hand.⁶
4. The oldest wild heron was a 24-year-old great blue heron found in Texas—the typical lifespan of this species is 15 years.⁷
5. Herons can be either diurnal (active during the day) or nocturnal, depending on the species.⁸
6. Herons use a variety of hunting methods, including standing stock still, running after prey through water, catching food mid-air (“aerial flycatching”), and diving feet-first into water.⁹
7. Young black-crowned night herons regurgitate food when threatened or disturbed at their nest (by predators or humans).¹⁰
8. Herons can “pant” to cool down when they are too hot. They do not hang their tongues out like dogs but do open their bills and flutter their necks (gular fluttering) for heat loss.¹¹

There are approximately 64–70 different species of heron, and 17 different genera.¹² The most abundant species is the cattle egret. Found worldwide, these smaller, white herons number between 4,000,000 and 9,850,000 individuals.¹³ At the other end of the scale, the white-bellied heron is one of the rarest species, with an estimated 50–250 mature individuals left in the wild.¹⁴  

“Heron” refers to any bird in the family Ardeidae, which includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. The taxonomy of Ardeidae is frequently revised as new behavioral and genetic research emerges, making it difficult to definitively separate herons, egrets, and bitterns into distinct groups. Some species traditionally called egrets, like the great egret, are placed in the same genus as typical herons.¹⁵ To make classification even more confusing, many herons are classified in entirely different genera. The family Ardeidae is divided into several subfamilies. The largest, Ardeinae, contains most herons and egrets.¹⁶ The subfamily Botaurinae contains all 12 recognized species of bitterns, as well as the zigzag heron which is sometimes grouped with bitterns based on behavior and morphology. Other subfamilies include tiger herons, agami herons and boat-billed herons.¹⁷ 

“Egret” is a common name given to some herons including the great egret, little egret, Chinese egret and snowy egret.¹⁸ Egret species tend to be all white, earning them the nickname “white herons”. Great egrets, which can be found on every continent except Antarctica, are perhaps the easiest to identify. Their large size, yellow bill and black legs help them stand out from other waterfowl.¹⁹

Heron species don’t all look alike, but there are a few features that they generally share. Most herons have tall, slender bodies: their long legs are perfect for wading through shallow water, and they have long, sinuous necks that bend into an “S” shape—especially when resting or flying. Herons have a long and sharp bill, which they use like a spear to catch prey. It is one of their most recognizable features and shared across all species. Heron plumage is typically grey, black, brown, grey or white depending on species and season. During breeding season, the plumage of some herons becomes particularly eye-catching, and in some species their legs and feet turn bright orange or red.²⁰ Some of the most iconic heron species include the grey heron and great blue heron, named after the colour of their plumage.  

Herons have an “anisodactyl foot” which means that one of their four toes points backwards. Their third toe has a serrated edge for combing through their feathers.²¹ Herons are also known for their crest feathers, which are the long and wispy feathers you see sticking out from their head, neck or chest. A 19th century craze of using the snowy egret’s crest feathers in hats and headpieces nearly drove these creatures to extinction.²² 

The agami heron is also striking in its appearance. Native to Central and South America, it stands out from its rainforest habitat, boasting a vibrant, multicoloured plumage, and a dramatically slicked-back silver crest.  

The capped heron is even more colourful. It has a yellow or cream-coloured body, a black “cap” on its head, and a vibrant blue face and bill. 

Herons typically eat fish which they catch with their long, pointy bills. The mandibles (the upper or lower segment of the bill) of some herons have serrated edges that help them grip slippery, wiggling prey.²³ Some herons eat more than just fish. Larger species (like blue or grey herons) are more opportunistic; they predate on anything they can fit their bills around. This includes amphibians, crabs, ducklings, rodents, snakes, smaller birds and even marine animals in coastal waters.  

Great blue herons are known for having “eyes bigger than their stomachs”—sometimes, they choke to death trying to swallow huge fish.²⁴ Smaller species focus on smaller prey species. The black-crowned night heron will happily eat insects, earthworms, leeches and mussels.²⁵ Most herons are solitary hunters, but occasionally, many herons may congregate in areas where there is abundant prey.²⁶

The most common hunting strategy used by herons is the “stand and wait” ambush. With this method, a heron stands extremely still in shallow water or on the bank, waiting for prey to come within striking range. Once a fish gets too close, the heron strikes rapidly with its sharp bill—spearing the unlucky animal.

Herons have more active strategies as well: some stalk their prey slowly, while others actively chase fast-moving prey.

Egrets are well known for foot stirring, where a heron shuffles its feet or taps the bottom to flush prey out of the mud or weed beds—making them easier to catch.

Perhaps most impressive is how some heron species use bait to catch prey. Bait fishing involves deliberately placing an object (an insect, feather or piece of vegetation) on the water surface to attract fish. If a fish comes into striking range to investigate, it’s already too late. This is a remarkable demonstration of tool use—rarely seen outside of corvids (crows, ravens, magpies etc.) and primates (chimpanzees, humans etc.)

Black herons are specialists in a technique called “canopy feeding”. With this technique, the heron holds both its wings over its head, creating a neatly formed cone of feathers. Scientists think that this faux canopy reduces glare from the sun, improving visibility through the water and creating shade which attracts unassuming prey.²⁷ Think of it this way: have you ever pressed your hands against glass as a cone around your eyes—helping you to see through to the other side? Black herons are taking advantage of a similar technique to see into the water.  

Herons nest near bodies of water, where there are plenty of bushes or trees to offer protection. They build nests out of sticks in reedbeds, bushes, on cliffs, on the ground or even in tall trees measuring up to 50m high. Many will reuse these nests over successive years.²⁸  

Many heron species congregate together to nest in huge numbers called heronries.²⁹ These colonies can contain tens of thousands of birds, and in some countries the herons can be joined by other waterbirds such as spoonbills, ibises, and cormorants.³⁰

Particularly large heronries are protected conservation sites. Unfortunately for the scientists or enthusiasts who want to study the birds, heronries smell awful: faeces, decaying plants, the rotting flesh of fish, and other decaying animals litter the nest sites. Herons do not clean their nests and young heron chicks often defecate in the nest, adding to the smell, and the parents will not remove the rotting bodies of chicks from the nest if they die (which is not uncommon). When herons start to gather in large numbers, it usually means they are ready to breed and pair up.³¹

Many species and populations of herons migrate, typically in response to seasonal changes in weather.   

Grey herons and great blue herons, particularly northern populations, are fully migratory and disperse very widely.³² Typically, they breed in spring and raise their young through summer. Once their offspring are ready to fly around September or October, they migrate south to warmer, more comfortable winter habitats.  

Not all heron populations migrate in such regular annual patterns.³³ Migratory behaviour can vary greatly between species and different populations. Southern populations of grey heron tend to be resident (non-migratory) or partially migratory, where species like the New Guinea tiger heron do not migrate—they can only be found in New Guinea.³⁴ Purple herons are incredible endurance athletes. They migrate from Europe to Africa in just 5–7 days, covering distances of 4,000km (2485.5 miles).

Herons can be found in every continent except Antarctica. Generalist species like grey herons are some of the most widespread, and are each found across multiple continents, including within the Arctic circle.³⁵ Other species are more localised, for example the capped heron and cocoi heron are native only to South America.³⁶ The lava heron can only be found in the middle of the Pacific ocean, on the isolated Galapagos Islands.³⁷ 

Herons are nearly always found near bodies of still water like floodplains, ponds, lakes and sometimes coastal estuaries. Herons prefer still water; it better suits their hunting style, whereas flowing water makes fish more difficult to spot.³⁸

Most heron species are classified as “of least concern”. Five species are thought to be increasing in number: the cattle egret, the great blue heron, the black-headed heron, the snowy egret and the little egret.³⁹ The cattle egret is particularly successful. Well adapted to agricultural landscapes, it has massively expanded its habitat range. In the last 100 years. Today, the IUCN estimates that there between 4,000,000 and 9,850,000 worldwide. ⁴⁰ The grey heron is also common despite being heavily persecuted in the 19th century by farmers and fishermen (it is still hunted and used in traditional medicines in Nigeria).⁴¹

Several species are endangered including the great white heron, the Australasian bittern, the white-eared night heron, the Madagascar heron and the Madagascar pond-heron. Only the white-bellied heron is critically endangered.⁴²

Herons make a variety of sounds as part of their courtship rituals, territorial displays, as well as to locate other herons or mates. Different species of heron have their own, distinct calls. The grey heron makes a sharp and obtrusive yelp or screech meant to be heard over long-distances.⁴³ The screech of the great blue heron is lower and scratchier. Large bitterns make a deep, rolling boom.⁴⁴ Some “booms” like the calls of the Eurasian bittern, are among the loudest in the world (relative to their size)—they can reach more than 100 decibels in volume. The American bittern makes a deep, glugging sound like water being poured from a jug.⁴⁵  

In heronries, loud, distinctive calls are often part of courtship displays. Herons can also make rapid, clicking sounds by chattering their mandibles together, known as “bill clappering”, and is often performed between mated herons.⁴⁶

Yes, most herons do form pairs, but they do not mate for life. In general, they are seasonally monogamous, which means they have one partner per breeding season. In colonial species (like the Grey Heron or Great Egret), birds typically find a new mate each year at the nesting colony. In some cases, birds may re-form a pair if they both return to the same nesting site next year. 

To find the right match, different heron species use a variety of complex courtship displays. Egrets, grow special “nuptial plumes”—extremely long feathers on their neck and lower back. To attract a mate, egrets fan these feathers out (a bit like a peacock display) while perched at a potential nest site.  
 
In species like the great blue heron, males often pick a nest site before pairing up. He then uses his stage to attract a female over several days. Male herons will offer nest building material (sticks, twigs), perform greeting displays and engage in gentle “bill fencing” (tapping bills against each other) and stretch displays (extending their necks up into the air). During the breeding season, males need to be careful: they defend their nest territory from other males, and if their displays are not up to par, mate or nest material theft can happen. If he is successful, a pair will finish building the nest, copulate and lay eggs a few days later. Both parents typically share incubation and chick-feeding responsibilities, with the exception of a few bittern species.⁴⁷

Featured image © Shutterstock

Fun fact image © Shutterstock

Quick Facts: 

1: “Heron Red List.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/conservation-tools-and-resources/hero…;

2: “Heron Red List.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/conservation-tools-and-resources/hero…;

3: “Herons and Egrets.” Scottish Wildlife Trust. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2019/12/herons-and-egrets/ 

4: “Herons and Egrets.” Scottish Wildlife Trust. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2019/12/herons-and-egrets/ 

5: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns: their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

6: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns: their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

Fact File: 

1: Voisin, Claire. 2010. “The Herons of Europe.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing.

2: “Ardeidae - Herons.” BirdFacts Species Group. British Trust for Ornithology. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/bird-families/ardeidae-herons

3: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing.

4: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

5: “Ardeidae – Herons.” BirdFacts Species Group. British Trust for Ornithology. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/bird-families/ardeidae-herons 

6: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

7: “Great Blue Heron.” Cornell Lab: All About Birds. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/.; “Great Blue Heron.” Galapagos Conservation Trust. Accessed 20 Jan 2025. https://galapagosconservation.org.uk/species/great-blue-heron/ 

8: Voisin, Claire. 2010. “The Herons of Europe.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing.; “Species Factsheet: Grey Heron Ardea cinerea.” BirdLife international. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-heron-ardea-cinere…;

9: Kushlan, J. A. 2011. “The terminology of courtship, nesting, feeding and maintenance in herons.” [online] www.HeronConservation.org 

10: “Black-crowned Night Heron.” Cornell Lab: All About Birds. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-crowned_Night_Heron/. 

11: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. Griffin, Catherine. 2012. “How Birds Keep Their Cool.” Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/news/how-birds-keep-their-cool 

12: “List of the Herons of the World (IOC List ver. 13.1, in 2023).” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/ioc-list.; “List of the Herons of the World.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/. …;

“Heron Taxonomy and Evolution.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 20 Jan 2025. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/heron-taxonomy-and-evolution/  

13: IUCN. 2024. Ardea cinerea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024, e.T22697109A155477521. Accessed June 11, 2025. 

14:  “White-bellied Heron Working Group.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 20 Jan 2025. https://www.heronconservation.org/working-groups/white-bellied-heron-working-group/#:~:text=Current%20published%20estimates%20suggest%20there,birds%20left%20in%20the%20wild 

15: “List of the Herons of the World (IOC List ver. 13.1, in 2023).” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/ioc-list. 

16: “List of the Herons of the World.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept. 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/.&…;

17: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

18: “Heron vs egret: what's the difference between these two leggy, long-necked, elegant birds?.” 8 Aug 2024. The Wildlife Trusts. https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/birds/heron-vs-egret-whats-the-difference 

19: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing.; “Ardeidae - Herons.” BirdFacts Species Group. British Trust for Ornithology. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/bird-families/ardeidae-herons 

20: Voisin, Claire. 2010. “The Herons of Europe.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. 

21: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

22: “Snowy Egret.” Cornell Lab: All About Birds. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Egret/.; “Great Egret.” Cornell Lab: All About Birds. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Egret/. 

23: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing.; “Mandible.” Merriam Webster. Accessed 20 Jan 2025. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandible#:~:text=%3A%20either%20the%20upper%20or%20lower,often%20forming%20strong%20biting%20jaws  

24: Wells, Allison. Wells, Jeffery. “What Do Great Blue Herons “Really” Eat?” 2021. Natural Resources Council of Maine. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.nrcm.org/blog/birding-jeff-allison/what-do-great-blue-heron…;

25: “Black-crowned Night Heron.” Cornell Lab: All About Birds. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-crowned_Night_Heron/. 

26: “Species Factsheet: Grey Heron Ardea cinerea.” BirdLife international. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-heron-ardea-cinere…;

27: Hancock, James., Kushlan, James A. 2010. “The Herons Handbook.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. 

28: “Species Factsheet: Grey Heron Ardea cinerea.” BirdLife international. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-heron-ardea-cinere….  

29: McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

30: Voisin, Claire. 2010. “The Herons of Europe.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. 

31: Voisin, Claire. 2010. “The Herons of Europe.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. 

32: “Species Factsheet: Grey Heron Ardea cinerea.” BirdLife international. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-heron-ardea-cinere….;“Great Blue Heron.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/gr…;

33: Kushlan, J. A. 2007. “Conserving Herons, A Conservation Action Plan for the Herons of the World.” Heron Specialist Group and Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France. https://www.heronconservation.org/conservation-tools-and-resources/action-plans/conserving_herons/  

34: “Species Factsheet: Grey Heron Ardea cinerea.” BirdLife international. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-heron-ardea-cinere….; McKilligan, Neil. 2005. "Herons, egrets and bitterns : their biology and conservation in Australia.” United Kingdom: CSIRO Publishing. 

35: “Gray Heron.” Cornell Lab: All About Birds. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Heron/.; “Grey Heron.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 15 Jan 2025. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/grey-heron/ 

36: “Capped Heron.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 15 Jan 2025. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/capped-heron/ ; “Cocoa Heron.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 15 Jan 2025. https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/cocoi-heron/ 

37: “Lava heron.” Galapagos Conservation Trust. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://galapagosconservation.org.uk/species/lava-heron/. 

38: Brooks, Jess. "February: Gray Heron.” 2021. Games & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.gwct.org.uk/wildlife/species-of-the-month/2021/grey-heron/#…;

39: “Ardeidae - Herons.” BirdFacts Species Group. British Trust for Ornithology. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/bird-families/ardeidae-herons 

40: IUCN. 2024. Ardea cinerea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024, e.T22697109A155477521. Accessed June 11, 2025. 

41: “Species Factsheet: Grey Heron Ardea cinerea.” BirdLife international. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-heron-ardea-cinere…;

42: “Heron Red List.” Heron Conservation. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.heronconservation.org/conservation-tools-and-resources/hero…;

43: Kushlan, J. A. 2011. “The terminology of courtship, nesting, feeding and maintenance in herons.” [online] www.HeronConservation.org 

44: Hancock, James., Kushlan, James A. 2010. “The Herons Handbook.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. 

45: “American Bittern: Sounds.” Cornell Lab: All About Birds. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Bittern/sounds#:~:text=To%…;

46: “Bittern.” The Wildlife Trusts. Accessed 13 Sept 2024. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/herons-egrets-sp…; Hancock, James., Kushlan, James A. 2010. “The Herons Handbook.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing; Kushlan, J. A. 2011. “The terminology of courtship, nesting, feeding and maintenance in herons.” [online] www.HeronConservation.org  

47: Hancock, James., Kushlan, James A. 2010. “The Herons Handbook.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing; Voisin, Claire. 2010. “The Herons of Europe.” United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing; Kushlan, J. A. 2011. “The terminology of courtship, nesting, feeding and maintenance in herons.” [online] www.HeronConservation.org