Egretta
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Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Egretta | ||||||||||
| Forster , 1817 |
Egretta is a genus in the day heron subfamilywithin the heron family. They are medium-sized birds, most of which breed in warmer climates. Representatives of this genus can be found almost all over the world: The little egret is widespread throughout the Old World and, starting from the Caribbean, is now increasinglypopulatingNorth and South America.
description
Egretta species are long-necked and long-legged and, due to their long and pointed beaks, have a body shape that is typical of herons. Their plumage color, however, varies greatly. Some species have pure white plumage, such as the little egret. With the magpie heron, on the other hand, only the front side of the body is white and the rest of the plumage is slate-gray. With the red heron, on the other hand, the neck and head of a color morph are colored red-brown and the rest of the plumage is slate-gray. However, there is also a pure white morph. The entire plumage of the bell heron is slatey, dark gray.
Egretta species mostly breed in colonies. They are then often associated with other species. The nest is built in trees or bushes. They live on insects, fish and amphibians. Most species of the genus Egretta stand motionless in the water until prey comes near them or wade very slowly through the water. The bell heron has developed a special form of prey acquisition, which spreads its wings like an umbrella over the head when looking for food.
Systematics
The systematics of the herons is changing rapidly. On the basis of phylogenetic studies, species that were previously included in the genus Egretta have been assigned to the genus Ardea . Occasionally, the great egret is still found in the genus Egretta in older literature . Conversely, subspecies of the little egret may represent species.
species
The following species are included in the genus Egretta :
- Red Egret , Egretta rufescens
- Pied Heron , Egretta picata
- Brown-throated heron , Egretta vinaceigula
- Bell heron , Egretta ardesiaca
- Three-colored heron , Egretta tricolor
- White-cheeked Heron , Egretta novaehollandiae
- Blue Heron , Egretta caerulea
- Great Egret , Egretta thula
- Little Egret , Egretta garzetta
- Snow heron , Egretta eulophotes
- Reef Freer , Egretta sacra
- Coastal Heron , Egretta gularis
supporting documents
Single receipts
literature
- James A. Kushlan & James A. Hancock: Herons. Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-19-854981-4 .
