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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Ardea cinerea
Grey heron. Greek: σταχτoτσικvιάς. Gadouras river-mouth lagoon, May 2003.
Passage migrant, uncommon. Length 85-100 cm, wingspan 155-195 cm. Sexes similar. River mouths, riverbed pools, reservoirs, rocky seashores. Motionless stand-and-wait is main foraging method, but also prowls slowly in shallow water. Takes fish, amphibians, insects, occasionally small mammals, birds. Flies with retracted neck and slow wing beats, glides for short distances. On arrival soars and flies in circles at length above landing area.
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