Squacco Heron | Photo 02

Squacco Heron [Ardeola ralloides] is a small heron, 40-49 cm long with 82-95 cm wingspan. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Europe and the Greater Middle East. It 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.Their breeding habitat is marshy wetlands in warm countries. They nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. 3-4 eggs are laid, feed on insects, fish and amphibians.