White-faced Heron

The White-faced Heron, Egretta novaehollandiae, also known as the White-fronted Heron, is a medium-sized heron with a pale, slightly bluish-grey plumage. It is adorned with distinctive white facial markings, including a white forehead, crown, chin, and upper throat. The legs are a striking yellow, and the beak is black, often showing pale grey at the base. During the breeding season, the heron sports pinkish-brown or bronze nuptial plumes on the foreneck and breast, and blue-grey plumes on the back.

Identification Tips

Adult White-faced Herons stand between 60 to 70 cm in height and weigh around 550 g. The iris of the bird may vary in color from grey to green, dull yellow, or cinnamon. Immature birds are paler grey with a white throat and may exhibit a reddish hue on the underparts. The variability in the crown pattern allows for individual identification.

Habitat

This heron is highly adaptable and can be found near almost any shallow water body, be it fresh or saline. Habitats range from wetlands and farm dams to pastures, grasslands, shores, and even suburban fish ponds.

Distribution

The species is widespread across Australasia, inhabiting regions including New Guinea, the Torres Strait islands, Indonesia, New Zealand, and all but the driest parts of Australia. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in locations such as China and the Solomon Islands.

Behaviour

The White-faced Heron is known for its slow, bouncing flight and is often seen perching on various elevated structures. It is locally nomadic and may exhibit territorial behavior during the breeding season.

Song & Calls

The heron's vocalizations include a gravelly croak or gobble, often heard in flight or during interactions. It also emits a "gow, gow, gow" upon returning to the nest and high-pitched alarm calls when threatened.

Breeding

Breeding typically occurs in the austral spring, although it can happen at other times in response to rainfall. The nest is an untidy shallow bowl of sticks, usually placed high in a tree. Clutches usually consist of three to five pale blue eggs, with both parents sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties.

Similar Species

The White-faced Heron can be confused with other heron species, but its distinctive white facial markings and pale blue-grey plumage set it apart.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the White-faced Heron is varied, including fish, frogs, small reptiles, and insects. It employs various hunting techniques, such as standing still, walking slowly in shallow water, or even chasing prey with open wings.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the White-faced Heron as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.