🐦 The Grey Heron on the River Sella: Majestic Inhabitant of Its Waters
The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), also known as the airón in Spanish, is one of the most iconic and easiest birds to spot in the natural environment of the River Sella, both along its middle stretches and at its mouth in Ribadesella.
It is a large aquatic bird belonging to the Ardeidae family, native to Eurasia and Africa. Its long, elegant silhouette makes it one of the most recognizable symbols among the river’s birdlife.
📏 It stands between 90 and 100 cm tall, with a body length of up to 102 cm. Its impressive wingspan ranges from 1.75 to 1.95 meters, and it typically weighs between 1 and 2 kg.
🎨 Its plumage is grey on the back and whitish on the belly, giving it a sober, majestic appearance. Its long legs and neck help it stalk prey in shallow waters, where it feeds on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.
🛶 Where to See Grey Herons on the Sella
You can spot grey herons year-round, especially if you do the canoe descent from Arriondas to Ribadesella. It’s common to see them perched on the riverbank or gliding calmly over the water in search of food.
Its elegant movements and silent fishing technique make it one of the most photographed birds along the Sella. If you’re kayaking or hiking along the river, don’t forget your camera.
🧠 Fun Facts about the Grey Heron
- 📍 It lives in rivers, lakes, wetlands, and marshes.
- 🎣 It mainly feeds on fish, which it catches with precise strikes of its beak.
- 🪹 Nests in colonies in trees close to water.
- 🧭 It is sedentary along the Sella, although some populations migrate in winter.
tag: wildlife river sella – heron
