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5

Grey Heron feeding

(Ardea cinerea)
German name(s): "Graureiher"
Size: 84-102 cm; wing span 1.55-1.75 m
Weight: 1.0-2.1 kg

Back to the Grey Heron main page .

In April 2017 G. Pinelas observed a Grey Falcon beaching and then devouring a fish on a beach in Alges, Lisbon, Portugal. All photos presented on this page have been kindly contributed by G. Pinelas.

Grey Heron in breeding plumage patrolling a beach (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

Here it has flicked a fish onto the beach (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

The fish is clearly still wiggling (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

But when grabbed again... (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

... and speared behind the gills, its fight is basically over (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

Thus begins the process of taking hold of it... (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

... and turning it... (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

... and spearing again... (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

... and turning again... (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

... until finally it can be brought in the right position... (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

... to be pulled in... (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

... and swallowed whole (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

Fits! (photo courtesy of G. Pinelas)
[Alges, Lisbon, Portugal, April 2017]

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