青鷺(あおさぎ)

あおさぎ
noun
grey heron
animal-bird
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(かわ)で青鷺(あおさぎ)を見(み)た。
I saw a grey heron at the river.
青鷺(あおさぎ)は日本(にほん)で一番(いちばん)大(おお)きいサギだ。
The grey heron is the largest heron in Japan.
青鷺(あおさぎ)は水辺(みずべ)でじっと立(た)ったまま魚(さかな)を待(ま)つ習性(しゅうせい)がある。
Grey herons have a habit of standing motionless at the waterside, waiting for fish.

Despite the name (青(あお) = blue), the plumage is actually a blue-grey. 青(あお) historically covered both blue and grey-blue tones, a usage preserved in many traditional bird and plant names.

Similar words

  • 白鷺(しらさぎ): white egret — smaller, white plumage; cover term for several species
  • サギ: heron (general) — broad term for both 青鷺(あおさぎ) and 白鷺(しらさぎ)
  • ツル: crane — taller; flies with neck extended (herons fly with neck tucked back)

Related Words

Related: 白鷺(しらさぎ) (white egret)
general
Added 2026.6.4 13:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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