04 July 2019

Feeding Squacco Herons - Jubail

Whilst birding Jubail I came across a few fishing adult summer plumaged Squacco Herons. They are extremely fast when striking for fish so the below photos are my best efforts at action shots. Adult summer plumage birds are being seen much more commonly in recent years suggesting birds are breeding in the area. I have no definitive evidence of this but the fact birds are seen in breeding plumage in good numbers throughout the year and many juveniles are seen in the autumn suggest breeding is occurring. The species is very common here on spring and autumn migration as well as in the winter but has only been recorded breeding occasionally in the Eastern province previously although they breed commonly in the west of the Kingdom.
Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron