Heron

They have a dark plumage

Tallest bird in Singapore, being able to grow to about 115cm tall. This rare resident is found on islands, coral reefs, quite beaches, mangroves and sometimes along rivers

The flight is slow, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.

The species feeds in shallow water, spearing fish with its long, sharp bill. It will wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.

The grey heron is a large bird, standing up to 100 cm tall with a 155–195 cm wingspan

Despite their size, they are surprisingly light, the body weight can range from 1.02–2.08 kg

Persuading marauding herons not to raid goldfish ponds is very difficult. The only 100% effective protection is netting the pond.

The fat of a heron killed at full moon was once believed to be a cure for rheumatism

Fish, amphibians, small mammals and insects are taken in shallow water with the heron's long bill. It has also been observed catching and killing juvenile birds such as ducklings

Tt moves slowly and stealthily through the water with its body less upright than when at rest and its neck curved in an "S". It is able to straighten its neck and strike with its bill very fast.

Small fish are swallowed head first, and larger prey and eels are carried to the shore where they are subdued by being beaten on the ground or stabbed by the bill

Herons have been observed visiting water enclosures in zoos, such as spaces for penguins, otters, pelicans, and seals, and taking food meant for the animals on display.

The Purple Heron is a large bird, 80-90 cm tall, with a 120-150 cm wingspan, but slender for its size, weighing only 0.5-1.3 kg. It is somewhat smaller than the Grey Heron, from which it can be distinguished by its darker reddish-brown plumage, and, in adults, darker grey back. It has a narrower yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults.

It has a neck that looks very similar to a snake, and its plumage color is perfect for camouflage in the reeds. It feeds on fish, insects, amphibians, reptiles and even small birds, in wetlands or shallow waters.

They have broad wings, long straight sharp-pointed bills, and powder downs; the latter are areas of feathers that continually disintegrate to a fine powder which is used for preening (absorbing and removing fish oil, scum, and slime from the plumage).

Both parents share the incubation, which lasts between 24 and 28 days, and the care of the young. When an adult brings food, its beak is dragged down by the chicks and it regurgitates food from the crop onto the nest, or the young may take food directly from the beak

In breeding season some develop showy plumes on the back and participate in elaborate mutual-courtship posturing.

The species is very unusual in that it has two distinct colour morphs: the charcoal gray morph seen in New Zealand, and a white morph common in the Pacific Islands.

This species has an unusual non-sexual dimorphism. Some birds are entirely white, while others are dark gray.

The Reef-Heron is a marine bird. Its principal habitat is not mainland shores but islands, where it uses rocky shores and rocky reefs to search for prey exposed as the tide recedes. It has a distinctive feeding posture and concomitant morphology to exploit an environment unique for herons, namely the tops of exposed coral reefs. It also feeds in other shoal habitats especially sandy shores, using a variety of techniques as appropriate. It is a fish and marine crustacean specialist

It likely benefits from knowing its feeding site well, and so is a fierce defender of its territorial prerogatives.