Herons in flight

The Grey Heron, the three egrets and the Bittern all have distinctive flight profiles and colours in flight. Check out these five special birds.

Great White Egret • Very large and slim • Classic neck tucked in, very long legs outstretched flight • Deep ‘keel’ of neck bulge distinctive • Long, thin, yellow-orange bill • All white Bittern • Medium, size and chunky • Thick neck almost looks extended, large feet extend beyond tail • Gives owl-like or Buzzard-like impression • Medium bill, ‘horn coloured’ • Cryptically marked gold and black barred plumage Grey Heron • Very large and heavy • Classic neck tucked in, legs outstretched flight • Looks likes child's painting of an m-shaped ‘sea gull’ • Long, thick, reddish orange bill • Blue-grey upperparts Cattle Egret • Small and ‘chunky’ • Classic neck tucked in, shortish legs outstretched flight • More compact than Great White, chunkier than Little • Short, thickish…

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Bird Watching (Digital) - 1 Issue, January 2025

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