A large, upstanding bird, ghostly grey in most lights, contrasted dark grey, silver and white in strong sun. Flies with neck coiled back, legs trailed, wings bowed: one of the slowest wing actions of any common bird in active flight.

A familiar, upstanding, grey bird of the waterside, the Grey Heron often stands motionless in shallow water with its neck withdrawn, or stretched upright if it is fishing. It also spends a lot of time in nearby fields or trees. Grey Heron is able to thrive in suburban habitats where town park lakes, riverside parks, and even garden ponds are available.