Western Reef Heron

Overview

The Egretta gularis, also known as the western reef egret, is a medium-sized heron with a mainly coastal distribution in Africa and parts of Asia. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Exhibits white, dark grey, or intermediate morphs; the grey morph features a distinctive whitish throat, while the white morph has a larger, yellower bill than the little egret.
• During the breeding season, legs and facial skin turn reddish, and two long feathers extend from the sides of the nape.
• Subspecies differ in bill structure, with gularis having a more pointed bill and schistacea possessing a larger bill towards the base.
• Foraging behaviour is very active, often involving running, stirring water with feet, or using wings to shade the water surface.

Habitat

Primarily found in coastal wetlands, mangroves, and near shallow water in tropical West Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and eastern India. The range extends to the Lakshadweep Islands and Sri Lanka, with vagrancy recorded in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean.

Diet

Eats fish, crustaceans, and molluscs, with mudskippers being a regular food source in coastal areas. Forages in shallow water by stalking prey, stirring the water with feet, or flicking wings to disturb fish before striking.

Did you know?

The presence of dark and white plumage morphs is controlled by a single allele, with the dark character being incompletely dominant over the gene for white.