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Heron
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). Tricoloured heron (Egretta tricolor). Illustration of a little blue heron (Egretta caerulea), showing a slender bird with bluish-gray feathers, a long neck, and long legs, walking with its head lowered. Illustration of a green heron (Butorides virescens) perched on a branch, showing its dark greenish back and wings, chestnut neck, and yellow legs. Illustration of a black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, showing a stocky bird with pale grayish-white underparts, black crown and back, red eyes, and yellow legs, perched on a branch. Illustration of a yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) standing upright, showing its gray and black plumage, long legs, and distinctive pale yellow crown on its head. Great blue heron Great blue heron (Ardea herodias).
Quizzes
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters
Animal Group Names
Lion (panthera leo)
Deadliest Animals Quiz
Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)
Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz
Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)
Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz
turkey vulture. vulture. Close-up of a head and beak of a Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura).
A Little Bird Told Me

Heron: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 12, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The Peculiar Necks of Herons and Anhingas: A Study of Cervical Morphology in Pelecanimorph Birds. Jun 26, 2026
Add new Web site: Frontiers - The impact of Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea L.) colony on soil biogeochemistry and vegetation: a natural long-term in situ experiment in a planted pine forest. May 25, 2024
Add new Web site: British Trust for Ornithology - Ardeidae - Herons. Jan 11, 2024
Add new Web site: The Canadian Encyclopedia - Heron. Nov 02, 2023
Add new Web site: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Herons. Jul 28, 2023
Add new Web site: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Herons and Egrets. Jun 15, 2023
Add new Web site: Animal Corner - Heron. Apr 15, 2023
Add new Web site: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - Bittern. Mar 03, 2014
Add new Web site: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - Bittern. Mar 03, 2014
Add new Web site: Animal Planet - Heron. Aug 27, 2013
Add new Web site: A-Z Animals - Heron. Aug 27, 2013
Media added. Jul 10, 2012
Added photograph. Jan 10, 2012
Add new Web site: ThinkQuest - Blue Heron. Sep 13, 2011
Add new Web site: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - White Heron. Sep 13, 2011
Add new Web site: Creagrus - Heron. Sep 13, 2011
Add new Web site: Birds of Britain - Grey Heron. Sep 13, 2011
Added information about green heron. Nov 25, 2009
Added images of green heron, little blue heron, yellow-crowned night heron, and black-crowned night heron. Nov 25, 2009
Added new Web site: Environmental Education For Kids - The Majestic Great Blue Heron. Jun 25, 2008
Media added. May 28, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Animals - Heron. May 26, 2008
Article added to new online database. May 04, 1999
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