Rufous-bellied heron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rufous-bellied heron |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | Ardeola |
| Species: |
A. rufiventris
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| Binomial name | |
| Ardeola rufiventris (Sundevall, 1850)
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| Synonyms | |
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Ardea rufiventris Sundevall, 1850 |
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The rufous-bellied heron (Ardeola rufiventris) is a special type of bird called a heron. It belongs to a group known as Ardeola, or pond herons. This bird is mostly found in the southern parts of Africa.
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About the Rufous-bellied Heron
Scientists give every animal a unique name. The Rufous-bellied Heron was first described in 1850. A Swedish scientist named Carl Jakob Sundevall gave it its first scientific name. He found specimens near the Mooi River in South Africa.
The name rufiventris is from Latin words. Rufus means "reddish" or "rufous." Venter means "belly." So, its name describes its reddish belly! Today, this heron is part of the Ardeola group. This group was named by a German scientist, Friedrich Boie, in 1822. This heron is a unique species, meaning it has no different types or subspecies.
What Does the Rufous-bellied Heron Look Like?
This heron is a small, dark bird. It has a dark grey head, back, and chest. But its belly, wings, and tail are a reddish-brown color. This makes a cool contrast!
When it flies, you can see its bright yellow legs and feet. These stand out against its dark feathers. Young herons are lighter in color and more brownish. They get darker as they grow older.
Where Do Rufous-bellied Herons Live?
You can find these herons in eastern, central, and southern Africa. They live in many countries. These include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia. They are not found in very dry areas.
These birds love wet places. They live in grasslands that flood often. You can also find them in marshes and along riverbanks. They like shallow water near lakes. They also live in areas with papyrus plants and reedbeds.
How Rufous-bellied Herons Behave
The Rufous-bellied Heron is a shy bird. It likes to hide in thick plants. When it hides, it stands still like a bittern. But it keeps its beak straight out, not pointing up.
It usually hunts for food on the land side of wetlands. It also hunts in shallow water. These herons usually stay in one place. But they might move to follow the rainy season. This helps them find flooded areas.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Rufous-bellied herons breed during the rainy season. Or they breed when floods are at their highest. They build their nests together in groups. These groups are usually small, with 6 to 30 pairs. But sometimes, much larger groups are seen.
They feed during the day. But sometimes they will look for food at night. They usually hunt alone or in small groups. They like to rest in trees. Their nest is a small platform made of plants. They build it low in reeds, trees, or bushes. These nests are often over water. In mixed groups of birds, these herons usually nest around the edges.
What Do Rufous-bellied Herons Eat?
The diet of these herons is mostly small fish. They eat fish like tilapia and barbus. They also eat amphibians like frogs. Other foods include crustaceans and water insects. They also eat other small creatures that live in water.
 | Calvin Brent |
 | Walter T. Bailey |
 | Martha Cassell Thompson |
 | Alberta Jeannette Cassell |
