Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a powerful and elegant bird that hikers often spot standing motionless in shallow water or on bank rocks, lying in wait for prey. We recognize it by the ashen grey colour of the back and wings, lighter neck, and characteristic black stripe across the eyes that ends at the nape with long black feathers. It grows to a length of one metre, and its wingspan can exceed 170 centimetres considerably. In flight, it is most easily distinguished from storks by its strongly bent neck in the shape of an S and deep, slow wing beats; upon takeoff, it often announces itself with a characteristic deep and hoarse cry.
In the hilly world, it prefers to stay by clear waters, where with its strong and sharp bill it swiftly catches fish, amphibians, and smaller water insects; on meadows, it also gladly feeds on mice and voles. It is an extremely patient hunter that can remain in complete immobility for long minutes until the prey approaches close enough. It usually nests in colonies high in tree crowns, and its presence is a reliable sign of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Although quite cautious and quick to fly away at danger, its powerful silhouette repeatedly enlivens a trip by the water and reminds us of the wilderness that persists in our valleys and hills.