Slaty egret

Description

The slaty egret (Egretta vinaceigula) is a small,dark egret.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.