Grey heron

    Ardea cinerea

Castilian: Garza real

Catalan: Bernat pescaire

Gallego: Garza real

Euskera: Lertxun hauskara

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Ciconiiformes

Family: Ardeidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

On the National List of Threatened Species, it appears in the “Of Special Interest” category.

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THREATS

It is subject to fluctuations in the water levels of the wetlands, the decrease in breeding grounds, and extermination by fishermen due to the kind of diet it has.

Length / size: 84-102 cm / 155-175 cm

Identification: It is the largest in our country, and has a predominantly grey colour. During breeding season its head looks white and has a couple of black feathers, while its neck has a couple of horizontal black lines and its bill changes to a reddish-orange colour. In flight it is slow and heavy, maintaining its neck tucked in in the shape of an “S” and its legs outstretched.

Song: The most common sound is a loud and resonant "arjk", especially when it is approaching the breeding site.

Diet: It mostly feeds on large fish, although it can also eat small amphibians, insects, and even chicks of other birds, which it catches by lying in wait.

Reproduction: It is a species that prefers to breed in riverside meadows, together with other herons, using nests from previous years. After a courtship ritual that includes neck contractions and vocalisations, it rebuilds the nest with grass and leaves. The chicks wander about the surrounding area a few days after hatching.

HABITAT

It occupies different wet areas, both natural and man-made, as well as reed beds, pastureland, etc. During breeding season it preferes freshwater lakes or riverbanks with abundant vegetation.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It is not very common as a breeder, being concentrated in the river valleys of the large rivers (Duero, Tajo, Guadiana and Guadalquivir). In winter its presence is greater, especially in the southwestern quadrant of the peninsula.

In Castile and León: Regular breeding populations are found in Salamanca, Segovia, Valladolid and Zamora.

Movements and migrations: The northernmost European breeding populations make long migrations to warmer latitudes, while the rest are sedentary or make short journeys. The peninsula is considered an important destination and passageway to Africa, and the highest numbers of birds pass through this area in October and November. The Iberian populations make dispersive movements to Africa and other European countries.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 5000-6000 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: There is an estimated population of 588 breeding pairs (1998 data).