Bird - Grey Heron - Salmon postcard c.1970s

Postcard
• Picture / Image:  [Grey] Heron
• Publisher:  J Salmon (6-18-64-52)
• Postally used:  no
• Stamp:  n/a
• Postmark(s): n/a
• Sent to:  n/a
• Notes / condition: 

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Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information (internal links may not  work) :

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The grey heron (Ardea cinerea), is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions. It has become common in summer even inside the Arctic circle along the Norwegian coast.

is a large bird, standing up to 100 cm (39 in) tall and measuring 84–102 cm (33–40 in) long with a 155–195 cm (61–77 in) wingspan.^[2] The body weight can range from 1.02–2.08 kg (2.2–4.6 lb).^[3] Its plumage is largely grey above, and off-white below. Adults have a white head with a broad black supercilium and slender crest, while immatures have a dull grey head. It has a powerful, pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The call is a loud croaking ""fraaank"". The Australian white-faced heron is often incorrectly called a grey heron. In Ireland the grey heron is often colloquially called a ""crane"".

Taxonomy[edit]

There are four subspecies:

• Ardea cinerea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758. Europe, Africa, western Asia
• Ardea cinerea jouyi Clark, 1907. Eastern Asia
• Ardea cinerea firasa Hartert, 1917. Madagascar
• Ardea cinerea monicae Jouanin & Roux, 1963. Islands off Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania.

It is closely related and similar to the American great blue heron, which differs in slightly larger size, and chestnut-brown flanks and thighs.

It feeds in shallow water, catching fish, frogs, and insects with its long bill. Herons will also take small mammals and reptiles. They occasionally take birds up to the size of a Water Rail.^[4] It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.

In the Netherlands, the grey heron has established itself over the past decades in great numbers in urban environments. In cities like Amsterdam, they are ever present and well adapted to modern city life. They hunt as usual but also visit street markets and snackbars. They are also present at the zoo during feeding times for penguins, pelicans and seals. Some individuals make use of people feeding them at their homes or recreational fishermen to share their catch. Similar behaviour on a smaller scale has been reported in Ireland.^[5]

This species breeds in colonies (heronries) in trees close to lakes, the seashore or other wetlands, although it will also nest in reedbeds. It builds a bulky stick

type=printed

animal subject=bird

period=post-war (1945-present)

publisher=j salmon

postage condition=unposted

number of items=single

size=continental/ modern (150x100 mm)