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Birds · Java · Sulawesi

Striated Heron

Striated Heron (Butorides striata). The striated heron is a small heron often using mangrove edges and shallow water; its current name distinguishes it from the American green heron.

Updated Facts checked Butorides striataEditorial standards

Compiled from the listed sources with AI assistance. How we prepare and review content

Photograph of Striated Heron (Butorides striata).
(c) Bill Levine, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

IUCN status: Least Concern

Striated Heron at a glance

The Striated Heron (Butorides striata) is a bird in the family Ardeidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. Diet: mainly fish (piscivore), also frogs, insects and crustaceans; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

Quick facts: Striated Heron
Scientific nameButorides striata
Indonesian nameKokokan laut
GroupBirds
FamilyArdeidae
Observation recordsNusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi
Taxonomic groupPelecaniformes
GBIF records5,823 human-observation records, 2016–2026
Data retrieved2026-09-23
IUCN statusLeast Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Diet typeCarnivore (meat-eater) — mainly fish (piscivore), also frogs, insects and crustaceans · BirdLife DataZone
ReproductionLaying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)
ActiveCathemeral (active irregularly by day and night) — Feeds by day, in the evening and at night, and is drawn to lights to feed. · Striated Heron - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group)
In this guide (12)
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

What is the Striated Heron?

Striated Heron refers to Butorides striata, in the genus Butorides, family Ardeidae, and order Pelecaniformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Striated Heron?

The striated heron is a small heron often using mangrove edges and shallow water; its current name distinguishes it from the American green heron.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Striated Heron?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 5,823 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Striated Heron?

Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Striated Heron with Great Egret, Pacific Reef Heron, Javan Pond-Heron. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Scientific classification of the Striated Heron

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPelecaniformes
FamilyArdeidae
GenusButorides
SpeciesButorides striata

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the Striated Heron

What is the scientific name of the Striated Heron?

The scientific name of the Striated Heron is Butorides striata, in the family Ardeidae and the order Pelecaniformes. In Indonesian it is called Kokokan laut.

What kind of animal is the Striated Heron?

The Striated Heron is a bird in the family Ardeidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a mainly fish (piscivore), also frogs, insects and crustaceans.

Where does the Striated Heron live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Striated Heron summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Sulawesi. That list is not a complete range map.

What does the Striated Heron eat?

The Striated Heron is a mainly fish (piscivore), also frogs, insects and crustaceans. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: BirdLife DataZone.

How does the Striated Heron reproduce?

The Striated Heron reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).

Is the Striated Heron nocturnal?

The cited source records the Striated Heron as cathemeral (active irregularly by day and night). Feeds by day, in the evening and at night, and is drawn to lights to feed. Source: Striated Heron - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group).

See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.

What is the scientific classification of the Striated Heron?

Scientific classification of the Striated Heron: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Pelecaniformes, family Ardeidae, genus Butorides, species Butorides striata.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the Striated Heron endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Striated Heron is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Striated Heron is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗
  5. BirdLife DataZone ↗
  6. Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
  7. Striated Heron - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group) ↗
  8. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
  9. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Striated Heron (Butorides striata). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/butorides-striata/

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