Rufous-bellied Heron

Ardeola rufiventris (Sundevall, 1850)

Rufous-bellied Heron, Ardeola rufiventris, is a heron of the family Ardeidae that breeds in Africa from Uganda and southern Kenya to southern Angola, northern Botswana and eastern South Africa. It was first described by Sundevall in 1850. The bird is a small, dark heron with a rufous belly, wings and tail set against a darker head, back and breast. In flight, its bright yellow legs and feet stand out clearly from the darker underparts. Juveniles are paler and browner before they darken with age.

Order

Pelecaniformes

Family

Ardeidae — Herons, Bitterns

Breeding range

Africa: Uganda and s Kenya to s Angola, n Botswana and e South Africa