The western reef heron, also called the western reef egret, is a medium-sized heron found in southern Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. It has a mainly coastal distribution and occurs in several plumage forms: a slaty-grey plumage which can only be confused with the rather uncommon dark morph of the little egret ; a white form which can look very similar to the little egret, although the reef heron's bill tends to be paler and larger; and a black form with a white throat, E. g. gularis, found in West Africa. There are also differences in size, structure and foraging behaviour. There have been suggestions that the species hybridizes with the little egret, and based on this, some authors treat schistacea and gularis as subspecies of Egretta garzetta. Works that consider the western reef heron as a valid species include the nominate gularis and schistacea as subspecies.
Region
West Africa to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian subcontinent
Typical Environment
Primarily coastal, frequenting rocky and coral reefs, tidal flats, mangroves, lagoons, and estuaries. It is particularly common along surf-washed shores and in shallow reef pools where small fish and crustaceans concentrate. Inland occurrences are uncommon and usually tied to saline or brackish wetlands near the coast. Roosting and nesting often occur in mangroves or on low coastal islets, sometimes alongside other herons and egrets.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the western reef egret, this heron shows striking plumage polymorphism, occurring in dark slaty-grey, white, and a West African black morph with a white throat. It often uses a distinctive shading technique, spreading its wings to reduce glare and startle prey in shallow water. Where it overlaps with the little egret (Egretta garzetta), hybrids have been recorded, and some authorities have treated it as conspecific with that species. Its heavier, often paler-based bill and more robust build help separate it from the little egret.
Temperament
solitary and territorial while feeding
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady, deliberate wingbeats; often low over water with short glides
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone or in loose spacing, defending small feeding patches on tidal flats. Nests colonially, often with other herons and egrets, building stick platforms in mangroves or low coastal trees. Clutches usually contain 2–4 eggs, and both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing. Hybridization with little egret is documented in overlap zones.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet away from colonies, giving harsh croaks and grating squawks when disturbed. At breeding sites it produces rasping, nasal calls and clattering notes during displays.
Plumage
Occurs in multiple morphs: uniform slaty-grey, pure white, and in West Africa a black morph with a contrasting white throat. Feathers are sleek with fine ornamental nape plumes in breeding season.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish, crabs, prawns, and other crustaceans, as well as mollusks and marine worms. It also takes aquatic insects and occasionally small amphibians. Hunting techniques include slow stalking, rapid dashes, wing-shading to reduce surface glare, and foot-stirring to flush prey. It exploits tidal cycles, concentrating where prey is trapped in pools or along reef edges.
Preferred Environment
Shallow coastal waters, including reef pools, surf zones, mudflats, and mangrove creeks. Often feeds along exposed tidal flats and rocky shores at low tide, moving to lagoons and channels as the tide rises. Uses perches or sandbars to rest between feeding bouts.
