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A small heron that is widespread and common across much of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Not listed
Indigenous: Green-Backed Bittern, Thick-Billed Green Bittern, Little Mangrove Bittern, Johnny Mangrove, Mangrove Heron, Green-Backed Heron, Mangrove Jack, Red Mangrove Heron
At a glance
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatMarshes, estuaries, river edges, mangroves, mudflats, and shallow water.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Range map
Range map
1211visible hotspots
55913visible records
4states
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
Notably variable plumage across its range, but small size and overall gray color separates it from most other herons and bitterns. Juvenile streakier below than adult, and is much smaller and more slender, with a thinner, straighter bill, than juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, with long streaks on the chest and spotting mostly restricted to the wings (though more extensive in African populations).
Behavior
Often but not always solitary, found standing quietly around wetland habitats such as marshes, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.
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