Heron facts for kids
Herons are amazing wading birds that belong to the Ardeidae family. There are 64 different kinds of herons, and some are known as egrets or bitterns instead of herons.
Bitterns are a special group of herons. They are all part of the Botaurus and Ixobrychus groups. Egrets, on the other hand, are not a separate group. They are usually called egrets because they are mostly white and often have fancy feathers. Egrets look like smaller versions of the bigger herons.
Even though herons look a bit like other birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills, there's a cool way to tell them apart. Herons fly with their necks pulled back in an S-shape, while storks and ibises fly with their necks stretched out. Herons also have special 'powder down' feathers that help them keep clean.
Some herons build their nests together in large groups called colonies in trees. Other herons, especially bitterns, prefer to nest in reedbeds (areas with tall grasses).
Here are some examples of herons:
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What Herons Look Like
Herons are medium to large birds with long legs and long necks. Male and female herons usually look very similar in size. The smallest heron is often thought to be the little bittern, which can be less than 30 cm (12 in) long. The biggest heron is the goliath heron, which can stand up to 152 cm (60 in) tall!
Herons have a special neck that can bend into an S-shape. This is because of the unique shape of their neck bones. They can pull their neck in close to their body or stretch it out. When they fly, they always pull their neck back, which is different from most other long-necked birds. Herons that hunt during the day have longer necks than those that hunt at night or the bitterns. Their legs are long and strong, and almost all herons have no feathers on the lower part of their legs. When they fly, their legs and feet stick out behind them. Heron feet have long, thin toes, with three pointing forward and one pointing backward.
A heron's bill is usually long and shaped like a spear. It can be very thin, like the agami heron's bill, or thick, like the grey heron's. The boat-billed heron has a very unusual bill that is wide and thick. The bill, legs, and other bare parts of a heron's body are usually yellow, black, or brown. However, these colors can change during the breeding season.
Herons have wide, long wings. Their feathers are soft, and their plumage (feathers) can be blue, black, brown, grey, or white. Sometimes, their feathers are very colorful and complex. For most day herons, males and females look alike. But for night herons and smaller bitterns, the males and females often look different. Many herons also come in different color forms. For example, the Pacific reef heron can be either dark or light in color, and the number of each color type changes depending on where they live. White herons are usually found in places with coral beaches.
Where Herons Live
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Herons live all over the world! You can find them on every continent except Antarctica. They live in most places, avoiding only the coldest parts of the Arctic, very high mountains, and the driest deserts. Almost all herons live near water. They are waterbirds that don't swim much, but they hunt for food along the edges of lakes, rivers, swamps, ponds, and the sea. Most herons live in low-lying areas, but some can be found in mountain regions. The majority of heron species live in warm, tropical places.
Herons move around a lot, and most species travel at least part of the year. This is called migration. Some herons only migrate sometimes. For example, the grey heron usually stays in Britain but migrates in Scandinavia. After breeding, herons often spread out widely before their yearly migration. This helps them find new places to eat and reduces pressure on food sources near their nesting colonies. Herons usually migrate at night, either alone or in small groups.
What Herons Eat
Herons and bitterns are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. They mostly live near wetlands and water, and they hunt a variety of live animals that live in water. Their diet includes many different aquatic animals like fish, reptiles, amphibians, crabs, snails, and water insects. Some herons eat many different kinds of prey, while others specialize in certain foods. For example, the yellow-crowned night heron mainly eats crabs. Many herons also eat bigger prey if they get the chance, such as other birds, bird eggs, mice, and sometimes even dead animals. Very rarely, herons have been seen eating acorns, peas, and grains, but usually, any plant matter they eat is by accident.
The most common way herons hunt is by standing very still at the edge of or in shallow water. They wait patiently until prey comes close enough. Herons might stand upright to see more, or they might crouch down to hide better and be closer to their prey. Once they spot prey, they move their head from side to side. This helps them figure out where the prey is in the water and adjust for how light bends in water. Then, they quickly use their bill to spear the prey.
Besides waiting, herons can also hunt more actively. They might walk slowly, taking about 60 steps a minute or less, grabbing prey when they see it. Other active hunting methods include stirring the water with their feet or poking around to scare out hidden prey. Herons might also use their wings to scare prey (or maybe attract it to shade) or to reduce glare from the sun. The black heron is a great example of this; it forms a full umbrella-like canopy with its wings over its body!
Some herons, like the little egret and grey heron, have even been seen using bait to attract prey close enough to catch. Herons might use things already in the water, or they might actively drop items into the water to attract fish. For example, striated herons in the Amazon have been seen dropping seeds, insects, flowers, and leaves into the water to catch fish.
Three species, the black-headed heron, whistling heron, and especially the cattle egret, don't always stay near water. They can hunt far away from wet areas. Cattle egrets are very clever; they follow large grazing animals like cows. As the animals move, they scare up insects, which the egrets then catch. One study found that cattle egrets caught 3.6 times more prey when following animals than when hunting alone.
Reproduction and Nests
Heron nests are usually found near or above water. They are typically built in plants, but a few species have been found nesting on the ground if there are no suitable trees or bushes. Many herons use trees, placing their nests high up. Species that live in reed beds might build their nests very close to the ground.
Generally, herons lay between three and seven eggs. Smaller bitterns and some larger day herons might lay more eggs. Some tiger herons lay only one egg. The number of eggs laid changes depending on where the heron lives; herons in cooler climates lay more eggs than those in tropical areas. Most heron eggs are shiny blue or white. The only exception is the large bitterns, which lay olive-brown eggs.
Images for kids
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White-faced heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), showing its neck pulled back during flight.
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Bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum)
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Great bittern (Botaurus stellaris)
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Eastern great egret (Ardea modesta)
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The Wounded Heron by George Frederic Watts, 1837 (Watts Gallery)
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A heron pictured in the coat of arms of Priozersk, Russia
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Squacco Heron from Egypt
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A heron at the Zagreb Zoological Garden, Croatia
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See also
In Spanish: Ardeidae para niños
