Squacco heron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Squacco heron |
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| Ariège, France | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ardeola
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| Species: |
ralloides
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| Range of A. ralloides Breeding range Year-round range Wintering range | |
The Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) is a small bird that belongs to the heron family. It is about 44 to 47 centimeters (17 to 18.5 inches) long. Its body is around 20 to 23 centimeters (8 to 9 inches) long, and its wings can spread out 80 to 92 centimeters (31.5 to 36 inches) wide. These birds originally come from the Old World, which includes Europe, Asia, and Africa. They breed in southern Europe and the Middle East.
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Life and Habits
The Squacco Heron is a migratory bird. This means it travels long distances between its breeding grounds and where it spends the winter. It flies south to Africa for the colder months. It is very rare to see this bird north of where it usually breeds. Sometimes, it has been seen in places like the Fernando de Noronha islands and even mainland South America, but this is very unusual.
What Does a Squacco Heron Look Like?
This heron is a strong, sturdy bird. It has a short neck and a short, thick beak. Its back is a buff-brown color. During the summer, adult Squacco Herons grow long feathers on their necks. When they fly, they look very different. Their wings are mostly white, making them appear almost completely white in the air.
Where Do Squacco Herons Live?
Squacco Herons like to live in marshy wetlands in warm places. These are areas with lots of water and soft, wet ground. They build their nests in small groups, often with other birds that wade in water. Their nests are usually made of sticks and built on platforms in trees or bushes. A female Squacco Heron typically lays three to four eggs.
What Do Squacco Herons Eat?
These birds are hunters! They mostly eat fish, frogs, and insects. They use their sharp beaks to catch their prey in the shallow waters of their wetland homes.
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Flying in Cyprus
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Composite showing changes during breeding
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Bird Names: Where Do They Come From?
The English name squacco for this heron comes from an old Italian name, sguacco. This name was first written down by Francis Willughby around 1672. The way we spell "squacco" today was set by John Hill in 1752.
The scientific name of the bird is Ardeola ralloides. This name also has an interesting history. Ardeola comes from a Latin word for a small heron. Ralloides comes from two parts: the Latin word rallus, which means a type of bird called a rail, and the Greek word -oides, which means "resembling." So, the scientific name basically means "a small heron that looks like a rail."
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Squacco Herons use freshwater areas in Europe and the Middle East as their breeding grounds. After they lay eggs and raise their young, they fly south to the Sub-Saharan African region for the winter.
Young Squacco Herons and those not yet ready to breed look a bit different from adults. They have a tawny (light brownish-orange) color and lighter stripes. Their beaks are smaller, and their wing tips are narrower. These features are similar to other young pond herons, like the Indian Pond Heron and the Malagasy Pond Heron.
