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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Ardeola ralloides
Squacco heron. Greek: κρυπτοτσικνιάς. Gadouras river-mouth lagoon, May 2002.
Passage migrant, uncommon. Length 45-50 cm, wingspan 80-90 cm. Sexes similar. River mouths, riverbed pools, ponds, reservoirs. Takes fish, amphibians, insects. Often prowls in shallow water using crouch-and-lunge foraging method. Solitary feeder, defends foraging grounds against other herons. Roosts in trees. Flies with retracted neck and slow wing beats.
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