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(Common) Squacco heron .

Saw one at Matambeni Hide last October. Too far away to take a photo, unfortunately.

It wasn't a heron I'd seen or heard of before. How common is the "Common" squacco heron?

We also saw our first S Heron at Matambeni Hide in Jan. this year.
Looked long and hard to try and ID it but pretty sure that is what it was.

Roberts lists them as locally common in S. Africa.
Resident and sedentary near permanent water.

I don't think they are all that common .
Maybe in localised areas yes , but overall no .

I saw my first Squacco Heron at Marievale. Its an amazing place with lots to spot seemingly in the middle of nowhere!

First ever Squacco I have seen was @ Lake Panic. Though till end of last year with a trip to Marievale that it was a pretty mean sighting.

Matambeni is the only place I have seen them - but usually do when I go there. Must be one of the 'locally common' spots. Along with the black egret.

I always think the best way to tell the squacco is to see what appears to be some sort of white egret flying , which then 'disappears' when it lands; the light brown colouration is great camouflage from a distance.

Richard

Seen on the causeway at Marievale.

Saw our first Squacco Heron at Sirheni bushcamp KNP. Difficult to spot but once spotted despite the awesome camouflage, fascinating to watch. Subsequently saw plenty at Borakalalo in July this year.

Great place to see them is the hide at Engelhardt Dam...always see them there with the pratincoles in summer.
They are very common in the Okavango Swamps.

Kruger, Sunset Dam, Nov 2010:


Squacco Heron by dinkybird, on Flickr