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Stout heron with flashing white wings; can be mistaken for a egret in flight, but note darker head in all plumages.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeLarge
RarityRare
HabitatMarshes, estuaries, river edges, mangroves, mudflats, and shallow water.
Best timeMost reliable in Northern Territory from March.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Sam Hambly
Range map
Range map
2visible hotspots
15visible records
2states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Handsome in breeding plumage, with creamy head, dark red breast, and lacy black plumes on the back. Streaky brown nonbreeding plumage is nearly indistinguishable from other pond-herons.
Behavior
Forages in rice paddies, pond and lake edges, and mangroves.
Gallery