Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides,Amboseli, Kenya

Description:

Canon 5D, 100-400LIt is a small heron, 40-49 cm long with 82-95 cm wingspan. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Europe and the Middle East. It is a migrant, wintering in Africa. This is a stocky species with a short neck, short thick bill and buff-brown back. In summer, adults have long neck feathers. Their breeding habitat is marshy wetlands in warm countries. They nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. 3-4 eggs are laid.These herons feed on insects, fish and amphibians.