Little Heron

Butorides atricapilla

绿鹭

IUCN: Not Evaluated Found in China

Introduction

A small heron, typically 44 cm in length, occurring across the Old World tropics. Twenty recognized subspecies are distributed from sub-Saharan Africa through the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia to Australia and the Pacific islands. Inhabits mangrove swamps and the vegetated margins of rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal lagoons, utilizing both freshwater and marine environments. Sedentary, though some populations make local movements. The species was recently split from the striated heron (Butorides virescens) of the Americas based on genetic evidence.

Description

A small, compact heron measuring 35–48 cm in length with a wingspan of 52–60 cm. Adults weigh 130–250 g and the sexes are similar in appearance. The plumage is highly variable across its range, even within populations. Classic adult plumage features a blue-grey back and wings, white underparts, a dark black cap, a distinctive dark line extending from the base of the bill to below the eye, and relatively short yellow legs. Juveniles are browner above with streaking on the underparts. Two Australian subspecies exhibit dimorphism, occurring in both grey and rufous color morphs.

Distribution & Habitat

Occurs throughout the Old World tropics from sub-Saharan Africa eastward through the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and East Asia to Japan, Australia, and the Pacific islands. Inhabits a variety of wetland habitats including mangroves, freshwater marshes, riverbanks, lake margins, and coastal lagoons. Primarily sedentary throughout its range, though some populations may make local movements in response to water conditions or food availability.

Behavior & Ecology

Forages by standing motionless at the water's edge, waiting to ambush prey with a rapid strike. The diet consists primarily of small fish, frogs, and aquatic insects. Nests are constructed hidden amongst shrubs or overhanging branches near water. The clutch contains 2–5 eggs, incubated for 19–25 days. Chicks are covered in pale-grey down with white coloring on the upperparts and fledge at approximately 5 weeks of age.

Conservation

The species has a very large range and is considered common in many areas. While specific population estimates are not available, the species appears stable across most of its extensive range and is not considered to face significant conservation threats at the global level.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

Taxonomy

Order
Pelecaniformes
Family
Ardeidae
Genus
Butorides
eBird Code
strher1

Subspecies (20)

  • Butorides atricapilla actophila

    eastern China to northern Vietnam and northern Myanmar

  • Butorides atricapilla albolimbata

    Chagos Archipelago and Maldives

  • Butorides atricapilla amurensis

    Manchuria to northeastern China and Japan including Ryukyu and Bonin islands (southern Japan)

  • Butorides atricapilla atricapilla

    Africa south of the Sahara and islands in Gulf of Guinea

  • Butorides atricapilla brevipes

    Red Sea environs and northern Somalia

  • Butorides atricapilla crawfordi

    Aldabra and Amirante islands

  • Butorides atricapilla degens

    Seychelles

  • Butorides atricapilla flyensis

    southern New Guinea (Southern Lowlands and Trans-Fly regions)

  • Butorides atricapilla idenburgi

    north-central New Guinea

  • Butorides atricapilla javanica

    Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to Thailand, Philippines, the Greater Sundas, and Sulawesi

  • Butorides atricapilla macrorhyncha

    coastal northeastern and eastern Australia (eastern Gulf of Carpentaria to eastern Victoria) and New Caledonia

  • Butorides atricapilla moluccarum

    Moluccas

  • Butorides atricapilla papuensis

    northwestern New Guinea, including Aru Islands (off southwestern New Guinea)

  • Butorides atricapilla patruelis

    Tahiti (Society Islands)

  • Butorides atricapilla rhizophorae

    Comoro Islands

  • Butorides atricapilla rutenbergi

    Madagascar

  • Butorides atricapilla solomonensis

    New Hanover (northeastern Bismarck Archipelago) to western Fiji)

  • Butorides atricapilla spodiogaster

    Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands and islands off western Sumatra

  • Butorides atricapilla stagnatilis

    coastal northwestern Australia (Shark Bay to western Gulf of Carpentaria)

  • Butorides atricapilla steini

    Lesser Sundas

Data Sources

AviList 2025 eBird (strher1) Avibase

Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.

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