Heron

[Acipiter]

I have one on my roof at the mo, and my wife said is it male or female, can you tell the difference?.

[rogpow]

Just checked in my Collins Bird Guide and several other guides and they all show no difference between male and female.

Rog

[Acipiter]

Thank you Rogpow, I have had a good look through mine as well, I did find the difference is small, and may be only be noticeable at the nesting site. by this I suppose they mean a small difference in size, unless some one else knows a way.

[Gill Catton]

going back too my heron researching days I seem to remember readng that in the height breeding season males can develop a very reddish hue to the base of their beaks - but there is a chance I'm remembering this wrong. Anyone got birds of the western palearctic to hand? I think I may have read it in there.

[Acipiter]

Thanks Gills, looks like I will have to call them it, from now on.