Photo: Kaippally / CC BY 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Reef Heron
Egretta gularis
Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Africa.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in Africa, Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 312 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Egretta
- Species gularis
Where it lives
Western AF, northeastern AF to western India and Sri Lanka
Quick facts
- Weight
- 312 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Reef Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Western Reef Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) belongs to the Ardeidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. It is found across Africa, Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers AF, PAL, OR w AF, ne AF to w India and Sri Lanka.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 312 g, with a wing length of about 26.1 cm and a tail of around 9.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Reef Heron?
The Western Reef Heron is a large bird that weighs around 312 g.
Where does the Western Reef Heron live?
The Western Reef Heron is found across Africa, Europe & Northern Asia and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering AF, PAL, OR w AF, ne AF to w India and Sri Lanka, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Western Reef Heron belong to?
The Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Western Reef Heron eat?
The Western Reef Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Western Reef Heron migrate?
The Western Reef Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Western Reef Heron endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Western Reef Heron make?
1 real field recording of the Western Reef Heron — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Western Reef Heron's range?
The Western Reef Heron has a mapped global range of about 2.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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