Slaty Egrets Egretta vinaceigula were found breeding in a mixed heronry with Rufousbellied Herons Butorides rufiventris in a reedbed on the Boro River in the central Okavango Delta. Breeding occurred in 1988, 1989 and again in 1992 after the reedbed had recovered from fire and reed-cutting. There was no breeding in this area in 1990, 1991 and 1993. It is estimated that 50 pairs of Slaty Egrets were present in 1988 and 1992 and 60 in 1989. Breeding started in May or early June, close to peak flood levels. Breeding success of Slaty Egrets was low: c. 30% in 1988 and 1989 while all eggs were preyed upon in 1992, giving an overall success of c. 10% for the six years. During the six years, tie reedbed was the only site used for breeding by Slaty Egrets in 75 km of floodplain along the Boro River (no alternative site was used in 1990, 1991 or 1993) and differences in quality of the reeds (mainly as a result of fire history) suggest that it was the only suitable site.