Hi, this is an immature heron for sure but can anyone identify what species it is. I found it hiding in a gutter area overlooking a sports field where cattle egrets come to feed every morning and some kite birds and hawks live in the trees too. I find it alone every morning.. Assuming it's probably lost from its kind.
Does it look like a Indian pond heron (Ardeola grayii)?
https://davesgarden.com/guides/birdfiles/showimage/7004/
Here is a List of birds of the United Arab Emirates:
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Great egret, Ardea alba
Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia (A)
Western reef heron, Egretta gularis
Little egret, Egretta garzetta
Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
Indian pond heron, Ardeola grayii
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated heron, Butorides striata
Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
Cinnamon bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus (A)
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris (A)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates
Yes! It's an IPH
Yes! It's an IPH
