Herons & Egrets

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© 2016-2020 David Allan Easton. All rights reserved.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - Found in marshes, lagoons and paddy fields in both wet and dry zones. Feeds mainly at dawn and dusk. (1)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - This photo shows the large toes.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - Mainly found in dry zone around tanks, lagoons and wetlands. (1) This one is in a small river in Kumana National Park.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) - In breeding plumage on a suspension bridge over a large pond, in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo 7. Note the yellow feet. (1,2)

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus) - In breeding plumage in Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo.

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) - In non-breeding plumage, crossing the man-made lake (tank) at Jetwing Vil Uyana near Sigiriya. The gape line extending beyond the eye is a clear indicator that this is a Great Egret. (1,2)

Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) - Taking a ride on a domesticated Water Buffalo while crocodiles circle.

Roosting Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus coromandus) & Pond Herons (Ardeola grayii) in The Gintota Ganga (River) near Galle Town and Fort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka.

Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) - Taking a ride on a domesticated Water Buffalo while crocodiles circle.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - On the banks of The Gintota River. Also found in marshes, lagoons and paddy fields in both wet and dry zones. Feeds mainly at dawn and dusk. (1)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - On the banks of The Gintota River.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - Perched on a dead Palm frond. (1,2)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - Found in marshes, lagoons and paddy fields in both wet and dry zones. Feeds mainly at dawn and dusk. (1)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - Also found by rivers, ponds and lakes.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - Roosting.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - Taking off from a tree near The Gin Ganga River, near The Galle Fort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka..

Common Sandpipers (Actitis hypoleucos) roosting in a dead tree, Gin Ganga River near Galle Fort, Southern Province, Sri Lanka.

Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus coromandus) roosting in a tree in the middle of the Gin Ganga River in Southern Province, Sri Lanka.

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Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus)

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)

Sri Lanka. So much more than you can see in a lifetime.

Bird References
1. Harrison J. A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011.
2. Henry G.M. A Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 3rd edn. Colombo: Oxford University Press; 1998.