Western Reef Heron

Here at Nautica we are lucky to be able to spend a lot of time working in fantastic marine and intertidal habitats close to home, right around Abu Dhabi island. On a recent survey we counted up to 25 Western Reef Herons in one location.

Although there are a number of species of herons that occur in the UAE, Western Reef Heron is usually the most numerous and conspicuous, feeding openly on shorelines; it sometimes even appears along the Corniche and on the beach near Marina Mall (most likely in the early morning, before these areas are too heavily disturbed).

Western Reef Heron is one of only two heron species that breed in the UAE (the other is the much smaller Striated Heron). Western Reef Heron lives mainly in coastal areas (although it has been recorded as far inland as Al Ain) and nests are usually in mangrove forests. It feeds on small fish, captured by very slow, patient stalking in shallow waters, or sometimes after a quick dashing run.