grey heron

Latin: Ardea cinerea
JP: アオサギ (aosagi)

A very large heron, up to 1m tall, found throughout various regions in Asia, Europe and Africa. They can be identified by the white head and smooth white or grey neck, with a dramatic black stripe on the head and grey body & wings. When folded, wings can have black "shoulder" outline.

The North American great blue heron is very similar, but with black streaks on the neck.