- Egretta dimorpha
Identification
55-65cm.
- Occurs in dark, intermediate and white phases
- Long thin neck
- White throat and carpal patches
- Long thin bill
- Dark legs
Similar Species
The dark morph is distinguished from the Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) by the black beak and black legs with yellow feet
Distribution
Eastern Africa and Madagascar.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
E. (garzetta?) dimorpha
Some authorities (Clements, August 2011) lump dimorpha within Little Egret (E. garzetta). However, Howard & Moore (2003) and Sibley & Monroe (1996) treat it as a full species and the Opus awaits further clarification.
Habitat
Coastal; breeds on coral islets and feeds in pools in exposed coral.
Freshwater wetlands, estuaries and coastal lagoons.
Behaviour
Vocalisation
Mainly silent.
Alarm call: quaark
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Avibase
- Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands By Ian Sinclair, Olivier Langrand
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Dimorphic Egret. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 31 May 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Dimorphic_Egret
