Great-billed Heron

Ardea sumatrana

The great-billed heron (Ardea sumatrana) is a wading bird of the heron family, resident from southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and Australia. The great-billed heron is a large bird, typically standing 115 cm tall and weighing up to 2.6 kg. It is larger than the purple heron, which it resembles in appearance, although it is larger and darker. The plumage is largely dark grey above. In flight, it has a uniform dark grey upperwing. The flight is slow, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The species feeds in shallow water, spearing fish with its long, sharp bill. It will wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.
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Great-billed Herons on Birda

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Matt Last
Thursday 02 Feb 2023 - 2:47pm
Thailand
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Lucas Corneliussen
Thursday 21 Jun 2018 - 5:05am
Malaysia
A map showing the sighting location
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Freddy BF
Sunday 28 Jan 2018 - 12:00am
Singapore
A map showing the sighting location
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Helen Warwick
Sunday 28 Jan 2018 - 12:00am
Singapore
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