Endangered
Small white heron in breeding plumage at Madagascar, migratory to Eastern and Central Africa (in different non-breeding plumage).
Short reddish legs and blue bill (in white, breeding plumage)
Dark crown and streaky upperparts (in non-breeding plumage)
Madagascar (and Aldabra in the Seychelles); Eastern and Central Africa: S Kenya - N Mozambique inland to S DR Congo, and the Comoro Islands.
Near water (in breeding range)
Water areas in all habitats including forests (in non-breeding range)
Squacco Heron A. ralloides (only in immature, winter or non-breeding plumage, but A. idae has darker upperparts incl. a rather coffee brown coloured back while A. ralloides has a rather olive brown back).
Migrating from Madagascar (or Aldabra) to Eastern and Central Africa: mainly May-October.
Breeding plumage: all white, with long crest and scapular plumes. Blue bill and bare orbital skin, former with dark tip. Reddish legs.
Non-breeding plumage: dark brown on crown and streaked dark brownish on mantle and underparts.
It nests in colonies.
45-48 cm
