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Breeding range very patchy across southern [[Europe]] from [[Iberia]] to the [[Balkans]] and [[Ukraine]]. Also in parts of [[Turkey]], the [[Middle East]], [[Morocco]] and [[Egypt]] and east to [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Afghanistan]]. In decline in many areas through the drainage of wetlands but the first breeding for [[Sardinia]] was recorded in 1985 and the [[Balearics]] in 1997. Has a wide but scattered distribution in sub-Saharan [[Africa]] from [[Senegal]] to [[Sudan]] and [[Somalia]] and south to the [[Cape]]. | Breeding range very patchy across southern [[Europe]] from [[Iberia]] to the [[Balkans]] and [[Ukraine]]. Also in parts of [[Turkey]], the [[Middle East]], [[Morocco]] and [[Egypt]] and east to [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Afghanistan]]. In decline in many areas through the drainage of wetlands but the first breeding for [[Sardinia]] was recorded in 1985 and the [[Balearics]] in 1997. Has a wide but scattered distribution in sub-Saharan [[Africa]] from [[Senegal]] to [[Sudan]] and [[Somalia]] and south to the [[Cape]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | This is a monotypic species. | + | This is a monotypic species.<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Freshwater swamps, ponds and ditches, often with very small areas of water, also larger waterbodies with dense vegetation, especially reedbeds with scattered willows. | Freshwater swamps, ponds and ditches, often with very small areas of water, also larger waterbodies with dense vegetation, especially reedbeds with scattered willows. | ||
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''[[Media:Ardeola ralloides (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Ardeola ralloides (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}} | ||
#Wikipedia | #Wikipedia | ||
#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition | #Collins Field Guide 5th Edition | ||
#Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6 | #Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6 | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Ardeola+ralloides}} | {{GSearch|Ardeola+ralloides}} | ||
Revision as of 11:15, 30 June 2009
- Ardeola ralloides
Identification
40-49cm
- Short neck
- Thick dark bill, with greenish tip
- Pale buff-brown back, with faint violet sheen
- Greenish legs
- Summer adults have elongated neck feathers. Bill black and blue; legs pink during courtship period
Flight: The white wings are concealed when on the ground, the bird looking light brown, in flight it appears almost all white.
Distribution
Breeding range very patchy across southern Europe from Iberia to the Balkans and Ukraine. Also in parts of Turkey, the Middle East, Morocco and Egypt and east to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. In decline in many areas through the drainage of wetlands but the first breeding for Sardinia was recorded in 1985 and the Balearics in 1997. Has a wide but scattered distribution in sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Sudan and Somalia and south to the Cape.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.[1]
Habitat
Freshwater swamps, ponds and ditches, often with very small areas of water, also larger waterbodies with dense vegetation, especially reedbeds with scattered willows.
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest in small colonies, at shallow marshy lakes, ponds and rivers with reeds. The nest is usually on platforms of sticks in trees or bushes. Three or four eggs are laid.
Diet
The diet includes insects, fish and amphibians.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Ardeola ralloides (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Wikipedia
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
- Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Squacco Heron. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Squacco_Heron
External Links
