Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)
The latest excitement to hit the Plettenberg Bay birding community is the arrival of a Squacco Heron. This bird is usually found in the Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free-State and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa.
The Squacco Heron can be easily identified by its black tipped bill, yellow legs, buff (brown) and white body, and streaks around the fore neck.
The Squacco Heron feeds on insects, fish, frogs and spiders.
The bird is frequents a small wetland directly opposite the Stonefield Polo Estate and the best time to observe the bird is between 9am and 10am.
Many thanks go to Simon Valentine from Emily Moon River Lodge for originally identifying the Squacco Heron and notifying the members of the Plettenberg Bay bird club.
This is not the first out of range bird to be seen this year in Plettenberg Bay, and if you see a bird that could potentially be out of range or you have an interesting sighting please don’t hesitate to contact me.
References:
- Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa – 6th edition- Gordon Lindsay Maclean- John Voelcker Book Fund -1993
- Sasol Birds of Southern Africa – 4th edition-Sinclair, Hockey, Tarboton and Ryan- Struik Nature-2011
- http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/072.pdf
Regards
Gareth Robbins
info@goldenorbtours.co.za
082 5253 946