The squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) is a small heron, long, of which the body is , with wingspan.

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Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) in flight.jpg|Flying in Cyprus

Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) breeding colour composite.jpg|Composite showing changes during breeding

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Etymology

The English common name squacco comes via Francis Willughby (c. 1672) quoting a local Italian name sguacco. The current spelling comes from John Hill in 1752.

Breeding

The squacco heron uses freshwater localities throughout Europe and the Middle East as breeding grounds to later migrate south to the Sub-Saharan African region. Non-breeding squacco herons share similar traits with other heron species like the Indian pond heron and Malagasy pond heron which show tawny color plumage, lighter streaking, smaller bill, and narrower wing tips.thumb| Ardeola ralloides eggs

References

  • Squacco Heron - The Atlas of Southern African Birds
  • Squacco Heron at oiseaux.net