Pied Heron
Egretta picata
A small and dainty dark gray-and-white heron. Adult has a dark cap with dark plumes creating a distinctive appearance (think "Zorro"). Usually has yellowish legs. Immature lacks the dark crown. Occurs in very large and dense flocks in tropical wetlands.
Identification
It is a small heron, 43–55 cm long, with dark slaty wings, body, and crested head, with a white throat and neck. The appearance is similar to the white-necked heron. Males (247–280 g) are heavier than females (225–242 g), but the two are similar in appearance.<p>Immature birds lack the crest as well as the dark colouring on the head and may look like small versions of the white-necked heron. The juveniles were once classified as a separate species.
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by ornithologist John Gould in 1845. Recent taxonomists put this species in the genus Egretta. There are no recognised subspecies.
- Scientific name
- Egretta picata
- Authority
- (Gould, 1845)
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Genus
- Egretta
Range and habitat
Its habitat mainly comprises a range of wetlands and wet grasslands.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The call of the pied heron is a loud 'awk' or 'ohrk' in flight. Soft cooing is given around the nest. Little else is known about vocalisations.<p>Breeding takes place from February to May. It nests in trees above the water, including mangroves, often colonially with other species of heron. 1–2 blue-green eggs are laid in a shallow platform of sticks.<p>It feeds on insects, frogs, crabs, fish and other small aquatic animals. Insects are the most important source of food. It may feed alone or in groups of up to a thousand individuals.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
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