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Western Reef Heron

Conservation status

Least Concern

Population Trend

Stable

Alternate Names

Western Reef Egret, Indian Reef Heron

Native Habitat

Pond

Diet

Crustaceans, Molluscs

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Western Reef Heron

Egretta gularis

The Western Reef Heron is a medium-sized heron. It occurs mainly on the coasts in tropical west Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and east to India. The Western Reef Heron's breeding habitat is coastal wetlands. They nest in colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The normal clutch is two or three eggs. These birds stalk their prey in shallow water, often running or shuffling their feet; they may also stand still and wait to ambush prey.

Regional Names
  • Bhojpuri:
    काला बकुला
  • Gujarati:
    દરિયાઈ બગલો
  • Hindi:
    काला बगुला
  • Malayalam:
    തിരമുണ്ടി
  • Marathi:
    समुद्री काळा बगळा
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Taxanomy

PELECANIFORMES
ARDEIDAE
Egretta gularis

Quick Facts
  • It is a coastal bird. Seldom found far inland above tidal influence. White phase in non-breeding looks like Little Egret.