# How Long Do Grey Herons Live?

> Grey Heron lifespan is typically 15–25 years in the wild. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Least Concern).

- **Species:** Grey Heron (*Ardea cinerea*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Carnivore — fish, amphibians, rodents, and birds
- **Habitat:** Wetlands, rivers, and coasts across Eurasia and Africa
- **Lifespan:** 15–25 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in flight
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/heron/how-long-do-heron-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/heron/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a tall, long-legged wading bird found in wetlands, rivers, and coasts across Eurasia and Africa. Standing up to a metre tall with grey, white, and black plumage, it hunts by standing motionless before spearing fish, amphibians, and small mammals with its dagger-like bill. A patient and adaptable predator, it can live up to 25 years and is listed as Least Concern.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a prognosis for one named animal. This page is a species lifespan range.

## Patient hunting technique

The grey heron is the archetypal ambush hunter, standing frozen at the water's edge for long stretches before striking with astonishing speed. When a fish or frog moves within reach, the bird uncoils its S-shaped neck and spears or seizes the prey with its long, sharp bill. Fish form the bulk of its diet, but it also takes amphibians, small mammals, insects, and even ducklings. This patient, energy-efficient style lets it hunt successfully in almost any shallow water.

## Help protect the Grey Heron

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/heron/how-long-do-heron-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.