Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides, Scopoli, 1769)
Length: 40 to 49cm Wingspan: 71 to 86cm Weight: 230 to 350g
Lifespan: 5 to 10 years.
Family: Ardeidae.
The Squacco Heron is populated mainly in the countries that border onto the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Nesting takes place, in Southern Europe and the Middle Eastern countries through the summer months, Some Squacco Herons will return to the Northern Africa countries, in the colder winter months.
Usually standing solitary at the water’s edge, this heron can be very hard to see amongst the reeds, due to the colouration and markings of its plumage. However, in flight, the upper wings being white, makes the bird more noticeable.
Habitat: A wide variety of freshwater places, with good vegetation growth alongside, streams, rivers, overgrown ditches, lakes, to open swamps and marshlands with good reedbed growth.
Nesting: Squacco heron will normally nest in small colonies, often amongst other wading birds. A small nest is constructed on a platform of wooden sticks, with grass and reeds. Nests are usually built low down in reeds, but can sometimes be found in dense vegetated bushes, shrubs and occasionally in trees with good cover. Three to four eggs are normally laid, April to June, one brood a year.
Feeding: Stands close to vegetation for cover, for fish, aquatic invertebrates, frogs and other amphibians.