Pacific Reef-Heron — Australian Bird Identification Guide

Bird guidePacific Reef-Heron

The reason for the colour variation or "morph", is unknown, though it is most commonly thought to be related to camouflage.

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⚠️Not listed

🍃Indigenous: Reef Egret, Reef Heron, Blue Reef Heron, White Reef Heron, Sacred Heron, Blue Heron, White Heron

At a glance

FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns

SizeLarge

RarityCommon

HabitatIn Australia, Pacific reef herons inhabits most of the coastline, and offshore islands including the Torres Strait Islands.

Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Sounds

Sound sample

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Recorded by Matthias Feuersenger

Range map

Occurrence window

1601visible hotspots

48436visible records

5states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

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

Dark-morph individuals are entirely dark gray. Both morphs have a yellowish green bill and legs, although dark morphs especially can also have a dark bill. Light morph adults are distinguished from egrets in the area by their distinct short-legged appearance and noticeably thicker bill.