A Heron Bird is a fish-eating bird that inhabits regions close to rivers and other water bodies. Here's everything you need to know about it.
Heron bird -- Facts
Breed:
Also called egrets and bitterns, these birds fall under the Ardeidae family.Size:
Herons are very tall birds. They stand about 4 foot long and they have a wing spread of about 1.75 to 2 m.Life Span:
Despite their large size, herons are not long lived birds. The average life span of a heron bird is about 15 years.Varieties:
There is a large variety of heron birds found all over the world. They usually are white, grey or bluish-grey in color. Their color depends on the climatic condition of the place where they reside, and to an extent, on the food they eat.Origins:
These birds find their origin in North America, however, now they have spread all over the globe.Physical Traits:
They have a soft drooping plumage. You can also spot snowy plumes on their neck, breast and backs. They have long neck, legs and long, pointed bill.Temperament:
Herons are silent birds. They love a solitary environment. If provoked, they make loud shrieks.Trainability:
Herons are not kept as pets and they cannot be trained. They are birds of the wild.
Heron bird -- Care
Habitat:
They usually build their nests in mangroves, bushes or grasses. They build a platform of twigs as a bed that is about 30 cm high.Food:
They eat aquatic animals like fish, tadpoles, insects, crabs and sometimes even small rodents.Compatibility:
Heron birds are mostly loners. They have been seen in groups of ten.
Heron bird -- Concerns
Benefits:
Herons help to reduce the population in rivers, lakes and ponds. In this way, they help to maintain the ecological balance.Liabilities:
Herons may sometimes be detrimental to farmers along the coasts. Their large populations will reduce the fish and the income of fishermen.Health Issues:
Herons do not suffer from major health problems. They are wild birds that can subsist in nature quite well.Specific Care Needs:
Herons do not require any kind of human care.Special Household Needs:
Since herons cannot be kept in human homes as pets, the question of household needs does not arise.
Heron bird -- How to Choose
What to Look for:
Herons will be sturdy tall creatures with long beaks. They will be found near beaches, trying to hunt for fish.Supplies:
Herons need a supply of aquatic life. They are water birds.Expense:
Herons are not sold as pets. No price information is available.