This is the largest wading bird you are likely to see in Seychelles, and it is the only bird to return to the granitic Seychelles after being made extinct here. Sometime before 1970, all the grey herons in the central Seychelles were killed by people for food, although they survived on some outer islands. Birds returned in the 1980s, and were breeding again on Mahé by 1990. In the old days, Grey Herons used to be tied up and kept behind houses as an emergency food supply.
Grey Herons build their large, untidy nests in trees, usually in small colonies but sometimes singly. You can see grey herons fishing in streams in central Victoria.
Scientific Name Ardea cinerea
Creole name Floranten
Wingspan 175 – 195cm.
Population in Seychelles 40 birds in 1995; probably many more now.
World Distribution Africa (and Madagascar), Europe and Asia.
Distribution in Seychelles Breeds on Mahé and Houdoul Island, but seen on many other islands.
Habitat Marshes, streams, beaches.
Nests In trees.
Eggs 2-4, pale blue.
Diet Fishes, frogs, and shellfish from sea and freshwater.
Identification A very large long-legged and long-necked bird with a long, spear-like beak.
See more
Species data sheet on BirdLife Datazone
(Photo credit: Alec Taylor)