Birds of Japan 007:The Grey Heron-日本の野鳥007:アオサギ

Birds of Japan 007:The Grey Heron-日本の野鳥007:アオサギ野鳥図鑑野鳥写真 Japan Birds Encyclopedia Bird Watching Wild Life Photography wild Birds Avian diversity

The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia, and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water, or stalking its prey through the shallows.

Grey Heron アオサギ

The Grey Heron is a large, long-legged waterbird commonly seen around rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, rice fields, and coastal areas in Japan. It has gray upperparts, a pale neck, a long sharp bill, and black markings on the head, giving it a calm but powerful appearance.

This heron often stands motionless in shallow water, patiently watching for fish, frogs, insects, and other small animals. When prey comes within reach, it strikes quickly with its long bill. In flight, it folds its neck into an S-shape and moves with slow, steady wingbeats.