An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Reiher

by Friedrich Kluge

Reiher, m., ‘heron,’ from the equiv. MidHG. reiger, m.; OHG. *reiar, *reijar, are by chance not recorded; comp. OSax. hreiera, Du. reiger, AS. hrâgra, m., ‘heron.’ OHG. heigir and MidHG. heiger, ‘heron,’ are abnormal forms.