Egretta novaehollandiae
The White-faced Heron, *Egretta novaehollandiae*, is a striking and widespread wading bird belonging to the heron family, Ardeidae. Measuring approximately 60-70 cm (23-28 inches) in length with a wingspan of 106-107 cm (42-42.5 inches) and weighing 400-500g, it boasts a distinctive blue-grey plumage contrasting sharply with its eponymous white face, chin, and upper throat. Its long, slender grey bill and yellowish-green legs and feet are also key identification features. Taxonomically, it is...
Found in a vast array of freshwater and saltwater wetlands, including estuaries, mudflats, rivers, lakes, damp grasslands, and agricultural fields. It readily adapts to urban environments, often seen in parks and gardens near water, typically at low to moderate elevations.
A carnivorous generalist, its diet primarily consists of small fish, crustaceans (like yabbies), frogs, insects (e.g., grasshoppers, dragonflies), and small reptiles. It forages by wading in shallow water and striking at prey.
A primarily diurnal bird, the White-faced Heron typically forages alone or in loose aggregations, though it will roost communally in trees at night. Its foraging strategy is classic stalk-and-strike, wading slowly in shallow water or damp ground before spearing prey with its sharp bill. Remarkabl...
The White-faced Heron is widely distributed across Australia, including Tasmania, and is a common breeding resident throughout New Zealand. Its range extends north through New Guinea, New Caledonia, and parts of Indonesia, including Java, Sulawesi, and the Lesser Sundas. While predominantly a res...
Least Concern
- The White-faced Heron is one of the most widespread and abundant wading birds across Australasia, found even in relatively dry regions if water is present. - Despite its common name, it is sometimes referred to as the Blue Heron in parts of Australia, though this can cause confusion with the Gr...