I was fortunate enough to see some gray herons at different Royal Parks in London. It turns out these places are great places to bird watch.
Gray herons are similar in appearance to great blue herons, but are smaller in size. All About Birds has the length of the gray heron being between 35.4-38.6 inches, while the great blue heron is between 38.2-53.9 inches in length.
The above pictures appears to be an adult. It has the pronounced black stipe on its head and the beak is lighter. During peak breeding season its beak can be orange.
I am guessing this image may be a juvenile gray heron. It does not have the pronounced black and white colours on its head and its beak is darker.
I highly recommend visiting the Royal Parks in London. It is a great way to get in some steps in while being nature in the heart of London.
“In every walk in nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 
It closely resembles the black crowned night heron.
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That’s one I have yet to see. Supposedly there are some around but when I go to locations they have been sighted at I don’t catch them.
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Great shots!
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It made it easy. The one in the close up shot flew near where I was sitting in the shade. It was very close and seemed unbothered. I love it when they do that.
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Guessing its cousins phoned across the pond to give them a heads up and look for an out of towner. Nice Sharon.
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If only!!! Being in the centre of London in a busy park with a lot of foot traffic these herons seem a lot more unfazed by people.
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Beautiful shots. Beautiful bird.
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It is beautiful! It made it easy though.
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Interesting, at first look I did think it was a GBH, but remembered you were touring abroad. Nice catch.
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Just like it’s common to see the great blues , at least in NY at many ponds, rivers and lakes, it seemed every body of water I went to in parks it was common to see the gray heron.
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