Photo: Lip Kee Yap / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rufous-bellied Heron
Ardeola rufiventris
Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Africa.
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The Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 202 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 Ardeola
- Species rufiventris
Where it lives
Uganda and southern Kenya to southern Angola, northern Botswana and eastern South Africa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 202 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rufous-bellied Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Rufous-bellied Heron is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris) belongs to the Ardeidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Uganda and s Kenya to s Angola, n Botswana and e South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 202 g, with a wing length of about 20.8 cm and a tail of around 7.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 5.5 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rufous-bellied Heron?
The Rufous-bellied Heron is a large bird that weighs around 202 g.
Where does the Rufous-bellied Heron live?
The Rufous-bellied Heron is found across Africa with a range covering AF Uganda and s Kenya to s Angola, n Botswana and e South Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Rufous-bellied Heron belong to?
The Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Rufous-bellied Heron eat?
The Rufous-bellied Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Rufous-bellied Heron migrate?
The Rufous-bellied Heron is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rufous-bellied 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.
How large is the Rufous-bellied Heron's range?
The Rufous-bellied Heron has a mapped global range of about 5.5 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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