Naming
The English common name "Squacco" comes via Francis Willughby quoting a local Italian name "Sguacco". The current spelling comes John Hill in 1752. The scientific name comes from Latin "ardeola", little heron, and "ralloides", Latin "rallus", a rail and Greek "-oides", resembling.
Behavior
The squacco heron is a migrant, wintering in Africa. It is rare north of its breeding range. This is a stocky species with a short neck, short thick bill and buff-brown back. In summer, adults have long neck feathers. Its appearance is transformed in flight, when it looks very white due to the colour of the wings. The squacco heron's breeding habitat is marshy wetlands in warm countries. The birds nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. 3-4 eggs are laid. They feed on fish, frogs and insects.References:
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