Squacco Heron
A species of Pond herons Scientific name : Ardeola ralloides Genus : Pond herons
Squacco Heron, A species of Pond herons
Botanical name: Ardeola ralloides
Genus: Pond herons
Content
Description General Info
Description
The squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) is a small heron, 44–47 cm (17–19 in) long, of which the body is 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in), with 80–92 cm (31–36 in) wingspan. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Europe and the Greater Middle East. 
Size
47 cm
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Bronze
White
Life Expectancy
11 years
Feeding Habits
Squacco Heron predominantly consumes fish, amphibians, and insects, demonstrating adaptable hunting techniques often characterized by a still stance near water before striking prey.
Habitat
Squacco Heron predominantly resides in marshy wetlands found in warm regions, favoring environments like swampy plains, river valleys, deltas, and man-made landscapes including canals, ditches, and paddy fields. These habitats often feature a profusion of marsh vegetation and preferentially exhibit placid or gently flowing waters. Squacco Heron typically nests in small colonies amidst other wading birds, constructing nests of twigs in trees or shrubs. Although primarily found in lowland areas, squacco Heron adapts to an altitudinal range extending to 2000 meters, with an occasional presence at 2300 meters in montane lake areas. Its habitat is seldom coastal, but exceptions include foraging on tidal wave platforms in certain regions.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Behavior
The squacco heron is a migrant, wintering in Africa. It is rare north of its breeding range. The species has been recorded in Fernando de Noronha islands, and more rarely in mainland South America, as a vagrant. This is a stocky species with a short neck, short thick bill and buff-brown back. In summer, adults have long neck feathers. Its appearance is transformed in flight, when it looks very white due to the colour of the wings. The squacco heron's breeding habitat is marshy wetlands in warm countries. The birds nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. Three to four eggs are laid. They feed on fish, frogs and insects.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Pelicans and Relatives Family
Herons Genus
Pond herons Species
Squacco Heron 
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