Ardeola rufiventris (Sundevall, 1850)

Taxonomy and Classification

Ardeola rufiventris, originally described by Sundevall in 1850, is a small dark heron species.

Adult Plumage

It has a dark grey head, back, and breast that contrast with a rufous belly, wings, and tail. In flight, its bright yellow legs and feet stand out against the dark feathers of its body underside.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile individuals are paler and browner, and darken as they reach maturity.

Geographical Range

This species is widespread in eastern, central, and southern sub-Saharan Africa, though it is not found in the arid south-west.

Occurrence Countries

Documented countries where it occurs include Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Habitat Types

Its habitats include seasonally flooded grasslands, marshes, flood-plains, inland deltas such as the Okavango Delta, shallow water along riverbanks and lake shores, papyrus stands, reedbeds, and paddies.

Diet Composition

Its diet is made up primarily of small fish like tilapia and barbus, alongside amphibians, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and other aquatic invertebrates.