Western Reef Heron

Egretta gularis

The Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) is a medium-sized heron found in coastal areas of the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Ocean. It has two color morphs, a dark morph and a light morph. The dark morph is slate grey with a contrasting white throat, while the light morph is entirely white. This species is known for its graceful hunting behavior, often seen wading in shallow waters and using its sharp bill to catch small fish and crustaceans. The Western Reef Heron is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of coastal habitats, including sandy beaches, mangroves, and rocky shores.

Habitat: Coastal areas, sandy beaches, mangroves, rocky shores