Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
Conservation status: LC
Scientific name: Egretta sacra
Family: Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets)
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN)
🐦 Description:
- Medium-sized heron (length: 57–66 cm).
- Exhibits color polymorphism:
- Dark morph: Slate-grey to black plumage.Light morph: Entirely white.
- Yellowish legs and feet, with a long, pointed bill (yellow to dark grey).
- The Vietnamese name Cò đen typically refers to the dark morph.
- Found across coastal regions of Southeast Asia, Australasia, and Pacific Islands.
- Common along rocky and sandy shores, mangroves, reefs, and estuaries.
- Prefers coastal habitats: rocky coastlines, tidal flats, coral reefs.
- Often solitary but may be seen in pairs or small groups.
🍽️ Diet:
- Feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other small marine animals.
- Hunts by standing still or stalking in shallow water.
🧬 Behavior:
- Known for adaptive foraging – may use wings to shade water and reduce glare to catch prey.
- Generally quiet, but may give croaking calls during flight or breeding.
🐣 Breeding:
- Breeding season varies by region.
- Nests in colonies, often on cliffs, trees, or mangroves.
- Lays 2–5 pale blue-green eggs.
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)
An Bui 2025 Ke Ga - Pacific Reef Heron (Cò đen)