Bird Guide

Grey Heron vs Western Cattle Egret

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Large1.4 kgWetland

The grey heron is a large bird, standing up to 100 cm (40 in) tall and measuring 84–102 cm (33–40 in) long with a 155–195 cm (61–77 in) wingspan. The body weight can range from 1.02–2.08 kg (2 lb 4 oz – 4 lb 9+1⁄4 oz). The plumage is largely ashy-grey above, and greyish-white below, with some black on the flanks. Adults have a white head and neck with a broad black supercilium that terminates in the slender, dangling crest, and bluish-black streaks on the front of the neck. The scapular feathers and the feathers at the base of the neck are somewhat elongated.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Grey Heron
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Alarm call, call · Miniac-Morvan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France · CC0
Photo: Dinkum · CC0
Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)

Western Cattle Egret

Ardea ibis

Medium391 g

The cattle egret is a stocky heron with an 88–96 cm (35–38 in) wingspan; it is 46–56 cm (18–22 in) long and weighs 270–512 g (9.5–18.1 oz). It has a relatively short thick neck, a sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The non-breeding adult has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. During the breeding season, adults of the nominate western subspecies develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast and crown, and the bill, legs and irises become bright red for a brief period prior to pairing.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Alexis Lours · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Grey Heron and Western Cattle Egret.