Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Squacco heron

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Kingdom
  
Genus
  
Ardeola

Higher classification
  
Pond heron

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Ardeidae

Scientific name
  
Ardeola ralloides

Rank
  
Species

Squacco heron Squacco Heron

Similar
  
Bird, Purple heron, Little bittern, Pond heron, Heron

Squacco heron


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.

Contents

Squacco heron Squacco Heron gobirdingeu

Squacco heron


Behaviour

Squacco heron Squacco heron videos photos and facts Ardeola ralloides ARKive

The squacco heron is a migrant, wintering in Africa. It is rare north of its breeding range. 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.

Squacco heron Squacco Heron gobirdingeu

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.

Etymology

Squacco heron Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

The English common name squacco comes via Francis Willughby (c. 1672) quoting a local Italian name sguacco. The current spelling comes from John Hill in 1752.

Squacco heron httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

The scientific name comes from Latin ardeola, a small heron (ardea), and ralloides, Latin rallus, a rail and Greek -oides, "resembling".

Squacco heron File090504squaccoheronatKAllonisaltpansjpg Wikimedia Commons

References

Squacco heron Wikipedia


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