Slaty egret’s shifting nesting sites offer clues to changing ecosystems
Scientists studying a rare African waterbird in Botswana’s Okavango Delta have found that previously established nesting sites are no longer being used, while new breeding locations have been identified, offering clues to how environmental changes may be affecting one of Africa’s most important wetland ecosystems. The findings from surveys conducted in 2025 and 2026 show […]
A recent study conducted in Botswana’s Okavango Delta has revealed that the slaty egret, a vulnerable waterbird, is shifting its nesting sites, offering insights into how changing ecosystems may be impacting this species. Initially found at a major breeding site in the western part of the Delta, the bird's nesting locations have been discovered to be changing, with some sites disappearing due to fires and elephant activity, while others have been identified in previously unobserved areas.
The slaty egret, endemic to southern Africa and primarily found in the Okavango Delta and neighboring floodplains, is a sensitive indicator of environmental changes. The findings from the 2025 and 2026 surveys suggest that the birds may be adapting their breeding patterns as conditions in the wetland ecosystem evolve. However, further observations are needed to determine if these changes represent a longer-term pattern and their implications for the species' population.
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