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 →