Heron, Grey

Conservation status:

Passage Migrant and Winter Visitor

Description:

A large heron with long neck and legs and powerful bill. Grey upperparts and white underparts and neck. Adult has characteristic black crest and markings down front of neck. Juvenile has darker grey or browner upperparts and crown with rest of plumage white. Bill yellowish and legs brownish yellow in adult. Juveniles have browner bill and greyish legs. Juvenile can be mistaken for Purple Heron, but it is much paler with a thicker neck, stouter bill and never shows buffish brown on neck and breast.