Identification
A small, compact heron that looks buff-brown while resting. In flight, pale wings and tail make it appear unexpectedly white.
When to look
A migratory breeding species in the European part of its range. Romanian warm-season sightings depend on suitable shallow wetlands.
Where to look
Freshwater marshes, reedy pools and vegetated lake edges provide feeding cover. Small open patches among plants can be productive to scan.
Behaviour and ecology
Food and nutrition
It takes small aquatic animals from edges and vegetation, often waiting quietly rather than moving conspicuously across open water.
Breeding and life cycle
Nesting occurs in colonies, frequently with other herons. A seemingly small patch of nesting vegetation may support several species.
A closer look
The contrast between its resting appearance and white-winged flight can make the same individual seem like two very different birds.
Global conservation assessment
LC · Least Concern
Global category recorded from the linked assessment; it does not describe local abundance. Least Concern does not mean absence of threats.
View the source assessment ↗Observation and photography
Look carefully along water edges before the boat passes. Do not flush a bird simply to see the white wings.
Sources and further reading
Keep a distance that allows birds to feed and rest normally. Do not enter colonies, approach nests, flush roosts or use playback for photographs. Never publish precise nest locations of sensitive species. Follow reserve rules and your guide's advice.