Squacco Heron

Ardeola ralloides

This small, cream-coloured heron transforms from a seemingly plain bird to a striking hunter with buff-gold plumes when breeding season arrives.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Squacco Heron is a small, stocky heron with distinctive buff-brown plumage and white wings. Its back and crown are streaked with dark brown, while the neck and chest display fine brown striations. The bird has a robust blue-green bill and greenish-yellow legs.

During the breeding season, adults develop long, white plumes on their heads and back. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults but have darker streaking and lack the ornate plumes.

Size

Length

40cm to 49cm

Wingspan

76cm to 84cm

Weight

225g to 370g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Buff Brown

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Blue Green

Leg Colour

Green Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Squacco Heron can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Squacco Heron can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Squacco Heron is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Squacco Herons inhabit a variety of freshwater and brackish wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and the edges of lakes and slow-moving rivers. They are found across southern Europe, much of Africa, and parts of western and southern Asia.

During breeding season, they are more common in Europe and western Asia, while wintering populations concentrate in sub-Saharan Africa. In the UK, they are rare vagrants, occasionally spotted during migration.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Squacco Heron. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons