The western reef heron is a medium-sized heron. It occurs mainly on the coasts in tropical West Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and east to India. The western reef heron's breeding habitat is coastal wetlands. They nest in colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The normal clutch is two or three eggs. These birds stalk their prey in shallow water, often running or shuffling their feet; they may also stand still and wait to ambush prey.