Bird
White-faced Heron
Egretta novaehollandiaeAlso known as White-fronted Heron
The White-faced Heron is a slender blue-gray Australasian heron with a pale face, yellow legs, and dark pointed bill. It stalks alone across tidal flats, wetlands, fields, and shorelines, pausing before striking at small prey.
Australasian heronshallow-water hunterpale face
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySmall fish, crabs, aquatic insects
Predators
- large raptors
- goannas
- introduced mammals
ThreatsWetland loss, polluted water, fishing-line entanglement, shoreline disturbance, and nest-tree removal
HabitatsEstuaries, tidal flats, mangroves, marshes, lakeshores, rivers, pasture, and urban wetlands
Life spanOften eight to fifteen years
Classification
- FamilyArdeidae
- SpeciesEgretta novaehollandiae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Watch from stable ground and avoid flushing birds from feeding flats or nest trees.
Responsible observation
- Face: Look for a pale face contrasting with a blue-gray neck and body.
- Foraging: Watch for slow stalking followed by a rapid straight-bill strike.
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