western reef egret

Occurs in dark grey, intermediate and white dolour morphs. Bill longer and stouter than Little's and usually appearing very slightly downcurved typically mainly yellowish or browinsh-yellow. Legs also slightly shorter and thicker-looking vary from black with yellow feet to being mainly green. Usually solitary when foraging. but occasionlly in tows or threes sometimnes wityh Little Egrets.

Roosts communally. Diurnal and partly crepuscluar. More active than other egrets when hunting, often running, jumping andturning rapidly. At highwater sits in hunched posture, waiting for tide to ebb. Seashores, estuaries, mangroves, and tidal creeks; occasionally at fresh waters

The western reef heron species feed on fish, crustaceans and molluscs. They also feed on invertebrates like insects, grubs and earthworms. They stalk the prey by standing still in shallow water. Sometimes they are seen stirring the water with foot to flush out the prey.

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.