grey grey long legged predatory bird family native temperate europe asia parts africa resident range populations northern parts migrate southwards autumn bird wetland areas seen lakes rivers ponds marshes sea coast feeds aquatic creatures catches standing stationary water stalking prey standing metre tall adults weigh white head neck broad black stripe extends eye black crest body wings grey white black flanks long sharply pointed pinkish yellow legs brown birds breed spring usually building nests high trees clutch usually bluish green eggs laid birds eggs period days feed chicks seven weeks old juveniles survive winter expect live years deity depicted artwork bird specially prized dish served guests description grey large bird standing tall measuring long wingspan body weight range plumage largely grey white black flanks adults head neck white broad black terminates slender crest bluish black streaks neck feathers elongated feathers base neck somewhat elongated immature birds lack dark stripe head generally appearance adults grey head neck small dark grey crest pinkish yellow long straight powerful brighter colour breeding adults iris yellow legs brown long main loud variety noises heard breeding colony male uses advertisement encourage female join nest sexes use calls pair bond established loud harsh male driving birds vicinity nest soft expresses anxiety predator nearby human walks past colony chicks utter loud noises taxonomy evolution fairly ancient lineage appeared fossil record period fossil found seven million years ago late birds closely resembling modern forms modern genera appeared members family majority extant species subfamily known true typical subfamily includes green pond night species grey belongs subfamily placed genus includes cattle great grey described swedish naturalist gave scientific comes latin ash grey ashes subspecies recognised nominate found europe africa western asia clark found eastern found found islands closely related similar north american great blue differs larger having chestnut brown flanks south_america forms authorities believe subspecies considered separate species known great little great blue purple australian white faced incorrectly called grey ireland grey colloquially called crane distribution habitat grey extensive range range nominate subspecies extends north norway north sweden northerly limit north rest europe asia eastwards far south range extends northern spain france central italy balkans iraq iran india burma present africa south morocco algeria tunisia replaced eastern siberia eastern china japan taiwan madagascar subspecies found subspecies restricted offshore islands range grey resident birds northerly parts europe migrate southwards remaining central southern europe travelling africa south range grey found suitable habitat supply food water body needs shallow margin wade common occurs mountain lakes large small rivers marshes ponds ditches flooded areas coastal sea shore away water pasture recorded desert areas hunting beetles breeding colonies usually near feeding areas exceptionally kilometres away birds forage kilometres nesting site behavior grey slow flight long neck retracted shaped characteristic distinguishes cranes extend flies slow wing beats short distances considerable heights spring occasionally autumn birds high chase undertake aerial manoeuvres ground birds perch trees spend time ground standing long periods upright stance single leg diet feeding fish amphibians small mammals insects taken shallow water long bill observed catching killing juvenile birds occasionally takes birds size water rail stand rock water waiting prey come striking distance alternatively moves slowly water body upright rest neck curved able neck strike bill great small fish head larger prey carried shore subdued beaten ground stabbed bill flesh torn bird material fur bones remains insects main periods hunting dawn dusk active times day night trees cliffs tends breeding species breeds colonies known usually high trees close lakes wetlands sites chosen include low trees bushes patches reed beds heather cliff nest year year blown starts small platform sticks expands nest material added subsequent years lined smaller twigs strands root dead grasses reed beds built dead male usually collects material female nest breeding activities place february june bird arrives nest ceremony occurs partner raises wings continental europe nesting colonies include nests purple species courtship involves male calling chosen nesting site arrival female birds participate stretching ceremony bird extends neck vertically bringing backwards downwards bill remaining vertical simultaneously legs returning normal stance snapping ceremony behaviour neck extended forward head lowered level feet vigorously snapped repeated times pairing settled birds attending bird plumage male offer female stick incorporates nest male excited female takes place clutch eggs usually numbers seven eggs recorded eggs matt surface greenish blue averaging eggs normally laid day intervals usually starts second egg laid birds period lasts days parents bring food young chicks seize adult bill extract food later adult food nest chicks possession seven weeks usually single generation year recorded oldest recorded bird lived years average life wild years juveniles survive second year falling victim predation city life grey ability live cities habitats nesting space available netherlands grey established past decades great numbers urban environments cities amsterdam present adapted modern city life hunt usual visit street markets individuals use people feeding homes share catch recreational fishermen similar behaviour smaller scale reported ireland garden ponds stocked ornamental fish attractive provide young birds learning opportunity catch easy prey observed visiting water spaces seals taking food meant animals display predators parasites large birds powerful grey predators adults eggs young vulnerable adult birds usually leave nest lured away dead grey found thought killed bird weakened harsh winter weather causing prey study performed czech_republic suggested central european grey host species parasitic worms dominant species consisted prevalence prevalence prevalence prevalence prevalence prevalence prevalence juvenile grey shown host fewer species intensity infection higher juveniles adult found central european grey species likely infected definitive hosts outside central europe pre migratory migratory quarters despite fact substantial proportion grey migrate south human culture bird deity associated sun creation rebirth depicted artwork bird gave sign coming event like raven owl specially prized dish britain special occasions state appointment served guests young birds shot eaten grey feature stained glass window church hampshire english derive meaning wood referring place
Grey heron