Crane or heron?
How to tell them apart
A heron flies with its neck pulled back into an S; a crane flies with its neck stretched out.
Quick answers
They differ on 1 of the 8 quick answers: carnivore.
| Question | Crane | Heron |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Bird | Bird |
| Carnivore? differs | Omnivore | Yes |
| Dangerous? | No | No |
| Domesticated? | No | No |
| Awake when? | Daytime | Daytime |
| Hibernates? | No | No |
| Kept as a pet? | No | No |
| Do people eat it? | No | No |
At a glance
| Question | Crane | Heron |
|---|---|---|
| Found in differs | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Australia | Worldwide |
| Habitat differs | Wetland, Grassland, Farmland | Wetland, Rivers & lakes, Coast |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Length differs | – | 84–102 cm (grey heron) |
| Legs | 2 | 2 |
| Covered in | Feathers | Feathers |
| Lives differs | In flocks | Alone |
| Lives for differs | 20–30 years | 15–25 years |
| Can fly | Yes | Yes |
| Swims | No | No |
| Lays eggs | Yes | Yes |
About each
Crane
Fifteen species of tall birds with long legs and necks. Cranes fly with their necks stretched out, unlike herons, and form large flocks outside the breeding season.
Heron
About 75 species of long-legged, long-necked wading birds of fresh water and coasts, including the egrets and bitterns. They fly with the neck pulled back, unlike storks and cranes.
Sources
Last reviewed . The answers and notes come from each animal's own page, where every source is listed.
How each answer is decided: How we answer. More look-alikes: Side by side.