1.
grey heron
Japan's largest native heron, a tall blue-grey bird found year-round near rivers, lakes, and paddies. Hunts fish, frogs, and small mammals by standing still in shallow water.
川で青鷺を見た。
I saw a grey heron at the river.
青鷺は日本で一番大きいサギだ。
The grey heron is the largest heron in Japan.
青鷺は水辺でじっと立ったまま魚を待つ習性がある。
Grey herons have a habit of standing motionless at the waterside, waiting for fish.
Despite the name (青 = blue), the plumage is actually a blue-grey. 青 historically covered both blue and grey-blue tones, a usage preserved in many traditional bird and plant names.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 白鷺: white egret — smaller, white plumage; cover term for several species
- サギ: heron (general) — broad term for both 青鷺 and 白鷺
- ツル: crane — taller; flies with neck extended (herons fly with neck tucked back)
Related Words
Related:
白鷺 (white egret)