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A small heron that hugs rocky coastlines.
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
HabitatMarshes, estuaries, river edges, mangroves, mudflats, and shallow water.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Matthias Feuersenger
Range map
Range map
1602visible hotspots
48322visible records
5states
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
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.
Behavior
Light-morph individuals are usually white all over, though some may show patches of gray.
Gallery