Birds
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

75
17 hours ago
Not yet spotted on Fladder
Spotted
The Squacco Heron is a small, stocky heron with drab, buffy-brown plumage when at rest, but revealing striking white wings in flight. It inhabits densely vegetated freshwater wetlands.
Where to spot
Found across southern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, primarily in freshwater marshes, rice paddies, and densely vegetated edges of lakes and rivers.
How to spot
Best identified by its ability to 'disappear' when at rest due to its streaky brown back, and then dramatically flash its white wings upon flight. Look for it lurking among vegetation at the water's edge, often standing motionless waiting for prey.
When to spot
Migratory in its northern range (Europe, Middle East), arriving in spring for breeding. Resident in Africa. Most active during daylight hours, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Credits: f_snarfel
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Credits: f_snarfel
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Credits: f_snarfel
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Credits: f_snarfel
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Credits: f_snarfel
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Credits: f_snarfel
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Credits: f_snarfel
The Squacco Heron's camouflage is so effective that when it perches motionless amongst reeds, it becomes almost invisible, only revealing its brilliant white wings when it takes flight, creating a sudden flash of white against the dull background.
Loading...

Spotted

Recently spotted
1759 (Seen in the last 3 months)
Last spotted
17 hours ago

Monthly observations

No observations
Loading...
Nothing spotted yet

Also interesting

File:Boat-billed Heron. Cochlearius cochlearius. - Flickr - gailhampshire.jpg
100

Boat-billed Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Egretta sacra.jpg
100

Pacific Reef-Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
grote blauwe reiger, vogel, natuur
5

Gray Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Gorsachius melanolophus melanolophus 363333237.jpg
100

Malayan Night Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Egretta caerulea -Cananeia, Sao Paulo, Brasil-8.jpg
100

Little Blue Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Nycticorax megacephalus.jpg
100

Rodrigues Night Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Egretta vinaceigula 13149944.jpg
100

Slaty Egret

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Ardeola bacchus (17).jpg
100

Chinese Pond-Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Syrigma sibilatrix.jpg
100

Whistling Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
File:Calherodius leuconotus 95518818.jpg
100

White-backed Night Heron

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns