Slaty Egret
Egretta vinaceigula
Silhouette: L. Shyamal · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPelecaniformes (Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies)
- FamilyArdeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
- GenusEgretta (Small Egrets and Herons)
- SpeciesEgretta vinaceigula (Slaty Egret)
About the Slaty Egret
The slaty egret (Egretta vinaceigula) is a small, dark egret found in southern Africa. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. It is classified as Vulnerable, the biggest threat being habitat loss.
Until 1971, the slaty egret and more widespread black egret Egretta ardesiaca were thought to be colour morphs of the same species but the slaty egret shows consistent features which separate it from the black egret. These are the yellow legs and the vinous brown throat of the slaty egret, which extends down right onto the belly in immature birds. The slaty egret does not display the characteristic "mantling" behaviour of the black egret.
The slaty egret lives in south-central Africa. The largest populations are found in Zambia and Botswana. In Zambia there are maybe 500 to 1,000 individuals, mainly found at Liuwa Plain National Park, Kafue Flats and Lake Bangweulu in some years but there are no confirmed breeding records. In northern Botswana there is a population of probably over 2,000 birds, mainly in the vicinity of the Okavango Delta and Chobe... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Slaty Egret in Chobe National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Chobe National Park
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
intermediate egret
Egretta intermedia
Black Heron
Egretta ardesiaca
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloides
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Goliath Heron
Ardea goliath
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-headed Heron
Ardea melanocephala
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moremi Game Reserve | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 2 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 3 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 5 | Kafue National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 6 | Lower Zambezi National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 7 | Mana Pools National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Slaty Egret in Chobe National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Slaty Egret sighting in Chobe National Park, based on 55 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Slaty Egret in Chobe National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Slaty Egret in Chobe National Park in our monthly data.