The Western Reef Egret, Egretta gularis, also known as the Western Reef Heron, is a medium-sized heron native to southern Europe, Africa and certain parts of Asia.

This egret has two colour forms, an all-white morph (similar to the Little Egret) and a dark grey morph. And to add to the possible confusion with other herons and egrets, there can be variations in colour between white and grey.

Breeding birds have two long feathers on the sides of the nape (back of the neck).

Diet

These birds hunt in shallow waters and their diet consists mainly of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and the occasional mudskipper in coastal areas.

Breeding

Nests are a stick platform built in trees or shrubs and are generally located quite high up, somewhere between 5 and 15 metres.

There are usually 3 or 4 light blue eggs which hatch after around 23 days.