Photo: Rohit Naniwadekar / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-bellied Heron
Ardea insignis
White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of South & Southeast Asia.
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The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Ardea
- Species insignis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Endangered
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-bellied Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The White-bellied Heron is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is a member of the Ardeidae family, within the order Pelecaniformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR e Himalayas.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2 kg, with a wing length of about 53.9 cm and a tail of around 19.4 cm.
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 63,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-bellied Heron?
The White-bellied Heron is a very large bird that weighs around 2 kg.
Where does the White-bellied Heron live?
The White-bellied Heron is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR e Himalayas, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the White-bellied Heron belong to?
The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the White-bellied Heron eat?
The White-bellied Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the White-bellied Heron migrate?
The White-bellied Heron is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-bellied Heron endangered?
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
How large is the White-bellied Heron's range?
The White-bellied Heron has a mapped global range of about 63,000 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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