White-faced Heron

FAMILY NAME:    Ardeidae    SCIENTIFIC NAME:   Egretta novaehollandiae    SUBSPECIES:    none

SIZE:    66 to 69cm.   (27" to 28") tip to tail. Wingspan approx 1m   (39")

LOCATION:    Ranges over the entire Australian mainland, except in the arid central west, also present in Tasmania. Will utilise any body of water, be it fresh, brackish or salt.

BREEDING:   Breeds from September to November. 3 to 5 eggs are laid in a small, shallow saucered platform of sticks, high in trees, and not necessarily near water. Both sexes participate in nest building, incubation and the rearing of the young.

GENERAL:   A common, small grey Heron with a white face and yellow legs. In breeding season, long plumes appear on the head, nape and back of adult birds. Their flight is unhurried and rhythmical, and the call is a gravelly/croaking sound.

 

References:

Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards.   www.birdsinbackyards.net
Graham Pizzey - Frank Knight. The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.