Slaty Egret (Egretta vinaceigula) | Photos and ID

VUVulnerableFish

WetlandPlatform nestMedium · 288 g

Slaty Egret (Egretta vinaceigula), photo 4 — Photo: Peter Archdale · CC BY 4.0

ID tip

Until 1971, the slaty egret and more widespread black egret Egretta ardesiaca were thought to be colour morphs of the same species but the slaty egret shows consistent features which separate it from the black egret. These are the yellow legs and the vinous brown throat of the slaty egret, which extends down right onto the belly in immature birds. The slaty egret does not display the characteristic "mantling" behaviour of the black egret.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Slaty Egret

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 9 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is September, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Slaty Egret

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 6 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Botswana Namibia South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe Angola

Recorded as a rare visitor in Mozambique.

About the Slaty Egret

The slaty egret is a small, dark egret found in southern Africa. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. It is classified as Vulnerable, the biggest threat being habitat loss.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Chinese EgretEgretta eulophotesThe Chinese egret averages 68 cm in height.

Pied HeronEgretta picataIt is a small heron, 43–55 cm (17–22 in) long, with dark slaty wings, body, and crested head, with a white throat and neck.

Black HeronEgretta ardesiacaThe black heron is a medium-sized bird, with a typical height range of 42.5 to 66 cm (16.7 to 26.0 in).

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