DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
It occurs in Europe, Central and South Asia and in Africa. It inhabits either fresh, brackish or saline marshes, rivers, lakes, flooded areas and mangrove swamps.
BEHAVIOUR
It is most active during the morning and evening. Often roosts communally. Palearctic breeding populations are fully migratory but may only travel short distances while other populations are resident and nomadic or partially migratory. When not breeding the species forages singly or in small flocks.
DIET
Its diet consists of insects , molluscs, crustaceans, worms, leeches, frogs, tadpoles and small fish -15 cm long. It may also take algae or small fragments
of aquatic plants.
REPRODUCTION
The species nests in colonies within which neighbouring nests are usually placed 1-2 m apart or touching.
GOOD TO KNOW
The species is threatened by habitat degradation through drainage and pollution.
- Latin name: Platalea leucorodia
- IUCN –Red List – LC – least concern
- CITES – Appendix II
