The difference between herons and cranes are the Cranes' necks are a shorter than those of herons, and they typically hold them straight.
This is particularly obvious when the birds are flying.
The herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 72 recognized species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons.
Herons live in Marshes, swamps, shores, tideflats. Very adaptable.
Forages in any kind of calm fresh waters or slow-moving rivers, also in shallow coastal bays.
Nests in trees or shrubs near water, sometimes on ground in areas free of predators.
Herons are sociable birds when nesting, invariably nesting in long-established heronries.
Most heronries are in trees, with the majority of nests at least 25m above the ground.
However, reed-bed heronries are not unusual, and they will also nest on cliffs, bushes, sometimes even on buildings of bridges.