The western reef heron (Egretta gularis), also known as the western reef egret, is a medium-sized bird in the heron family, Ardeidae. It is found mainly along coasts in Africa and parts of Europe and Asia. The species occurs in white, dark grey and intermediate plumage forms. It feeds on fish, crustaceans and molluscs, stalking or ambushing prey in shallow water. The western reef heron breeds in coastal wetlands, nesting colonially on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs and typically laying three or four eggs. Two subspecies are commonly recognised: E. g. gularis and E. g. schistacea. It was first described by Louis Augustin Guillaume Bosc in 1792. This western reef heron of the subspecies schistacea was photographed at Dohat Arad Lagoon, Muharraq, Bahrain.

Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp