Humblot's Heron
Ardea humbloti
Silhouette: Giles Laurent · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPelecaniformes (Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies)
- FamilyArdeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
- GenusArdea (Great Herons and Egrets)
- SpeciesArdea humbloti (Humblot's Heron)
About the Humblot's Heron
Humblot's heron (Ardea humbloti), also known as the Madagascar heron, is a species of heron. It is commonly found on the north and west coasts of Madagascar but it is also present in the Comoro Islands and Mayotte. Humblot's heron is considered an endangered species due to its declining population. The major threats the heron faces are poaching, habitat destruction, and the invasion of alien species such as the water hyacinth.
Humblot's heron is part of the subfamily Ardeinae, which are known as "typical herons". It has been suggested that Humblot's heron may be a darker morph of the grey heron due to their many similar physical characteristics, but this claim has been successfully refuted. Humblot's heron was formally described by Henri Milne-Edwards and Alfred Grandidier in 1885.
Local Malagasy names for Humblot's heron include "Kisirano", "Langaro" and "Langaroko", however these names are also associated with different species of herons, such as the grey heron. The scientific name commemorates the French naturalist Leon Humblot.
Humblot's heron has a uniform dark gray plumage on its body and darker feathers on its forehead and chin. Its nape feathers... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Humblot's Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ankarafantsika National Park
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloides
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Madagascar Pond Heron
Ardeola idae
Black Heron
Egretta ardesiaca
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Madagascar Ibis
Lophotibis cristata
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankarafantsika National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 2 | Ranomafana National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Humblot's Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Humblot's Heron sighting in Ankarafantsika National Park, based on 22 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Humblot's Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for Humblot's Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park in our monthly data.