Size: Standing up to 1 metre tall, adults weigh from 1 to 2 kg; 55–195 cm wingspan.

Vocalisations: The main call is a loud croaking "fraaank", but a variety of guttural and raucous noises is heard at the breeding colony.

Habitat: the grey heron can be found anywhere with suitable watery habitat that can supply its food. The water body needs to be either shallow enough, or have a shelving margin in it, which it can wade.

Behaviour: This species breeds in colonies known as heronries, usually in high trees close to lakes, the seashore, or other wetlands. Grey herons are apex predator in the aquatic ecosystems. Fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects are taken in shallow water with the heron's long bill. It has also been observed catching and killing juvenile birds such as ducklings, and occasionally takes birds up to the size of a water rail and white-throated rail. It is a migratory bird: it returns to Latvia in March – April and flies to southwards in October – November. In Latvia, there are 1,100 – 1,500 couples.

Interesting facts: A heron always takes off very easily, even if it is standing in the water when it takes off. The heron has a highly developed visual signal system. Thanks to its long neck, the bird is able to display a variety of emotions.

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