Heron

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Heron

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

HER-un  /ˈhɛrən/

Definition

A large wading bird with long legs, a long neck, and a dagger-like bill; particularly the grey heron (Ardea cinerea), the most common and widespread heron species in Britain and Europe. Herons stand motionless in or near water waiting to strike at fish, frogs, and other aquatic prey.

Plain meaning

The heron is the tall, grey wading bird that stands perfectly still in rivers, lakes, and ponds before striking fish with its spear-like bill. The grey heron is one of the most familiar large birds in Britain — often seen at rivers, estuaries, and garden ponds.

Register

Neutral and widely known. Heron is part of everyday British birdwatcher and nature vocabulary. The grey heron is so familiar that it has become something of an emblem of British waterside habitats.