Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Pelecaniformes
Family:	Ardeidae
Genus:	Ardeola
Species:	Ardeola ralloides

The Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) is an elusive heron found in warm Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.

Description

The Squacco Heron looks much whiter in flight.

A small, stocky heron with a short tail, a thick neck and a long crest, the Squacco Heron measures about 45 cm in length and has a 80-92 cm wingspan. Its body plumage is light tawny, while its wings, tail and rump are white. Its head and neck sides are striped grey. Its bill, straight and pointed, is blueish with a black tip, while its legs are greenish. The sexes are identical. Juveniles have an overall duller brownish plumage and more streaking on head and neck. When flying, the Squacco Heron appears almost completely white.

Voice

During the breeding season, this heron sometimes makes a croaking call similar to a crow's, usually at dusk.

Behaviour

Solitary through most of the year, this bird becomes gregarious during the breeding season. It is a migrator that winters in Africa.

Breeding

A Squacco Heron in its nest.

The breeding season lasts from April to June. Couples nest isolated or in small colonies, often mixed with other heron species, usually in reed thicket, bushes or trees. A clutch generally consists of 3-4 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 22-24 days. Both parents feed the young, which leave the nest a couple of weeks after they are born and become fully fledged at around 45 days of age.

Feeding

The Squacco Heron feeds on insects, larvae, worms, amphibians, small reptiles, small mammals and fish.

Distribution and habitat

Found in southern Europe, the Middle East, northern Africa, and Madagascar, the Squacco Heron occurs in wetland such as marshes, lakes, river deltas and rice paddies, preferably with abundant vegetation and reeds.

Similar species

• Cattle Egret
• Little Egret
• Little Bittern