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Large heron with rusty head and streaky neck; juvenile is extensively rusty brown on upperparts.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeLarge
RarityRare
HabitatMarshes, estuaries, river edges, mangroves, mudflats, and shallow water.
Best timeMost reliable in Western Australia from July.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Esperanza Poveda
Range map
Range map
3visible hotspots
4visible records
1states
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
Often more retiring than Gray Heron and rarely seen in open situations. Only likely to be confused with larger and bulkier Gray Heron, which is paler and grayer overall, with a stouter bill.
Behavior
Favors fresh marshes with tall reeds and other vegetation.
Gallery