No. 3. Herons


There are four species of Heron that are resident or regular visitors to Cyprus:  the Grey heron, the Purple Heron, the Squacco Heron and the Night Heron.

The most frequently seen species is the Grey Heron. This is the largest individual (can be just over a metre tall, with a wingspan of nearly 6 feet) and is frequently seen standing or slowly striding along the edges of the ponds by the 11th and 12th holes at Secret Valley. Occasionally they can be seen roosting in the trees by the ponds. The Grey Heron is resident in Cyprus and usually breeds in groups. It has a very distinctive flight with its long neck drawn in to its body and a slow, languid wing beat. A spectacular bird when it takes off close to you!

(Note: Click on photo to enlarge image)


Grey Heron - waiting....



Grey Heron - just landed at Secret valley ponds

The Purple Heron is nearly as big as the Grey Heron but is slightly slimmer with a slightly longer bill. From a distance it usually appears darker than the Grey Heron and is most easily distinguished by the distinct black stripes down the neck. It is often seen flying in large groups of adult individuals and the indrawn neck during flight is again distinctive. The Purple Heron is occasionally seen at Secret Valley.


Purple Heron showing distinct colouring and neck shape in flight




Purple Heron - waiting...



The Night Heron is much smaller and stockier than the Grey and Purple herons, being only about 0.5m tall. The adult is a pale grey bird and the male has very marked black back feathers and head cap. It is often seen as an individual or in small flocks in flight, when it looks quite dark. Only occasionally seen at Secret Valley, usually in the trees and stream adjacent to the 6th tees and green.



Night Herons



The Squacco Heron is the smallest of the common heron species, being only up to 0.5 tall. It is a summer visitor that has pale brown body plumage with white wings and distinctive long nape feathers. It usually appears all white when it takes off, but when standing or feeding can appear to have quite clear orangey-brown colouration. The juvenile has striated buff and brown body and neck colours which help to very effectively camouflage the bird in its natural reed bed habitat. The Squacco Heron is occasionally seen perching in the trees and reeds around the 6th hole at Secret Valley.



Squacco Heron - in full adult plumage



Squacco Heron - juvenile plumage

Squacco Heron - with snack

Note; All photographs and text by Trevor Fordham


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