BirdUp · Species
White-necked Heron
Ardea pacificaLatham, 1801
Updated
At a glance
The White-necked Heron is a very large bird, about 76–106 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 76–106 cm
- Origin
- Endemic
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Endemic
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does a White-necked Heron look like?
The White-necked Heron is a very large bird, about 76–106 cm long and weighing 600–1220 g.
The white-necked heron or Pacific heron is a species of heron that is found on most of the Australian continent wherever freshwater habitats exist. It is also found in parts of Indonesia and New Guinea, but is uncommon in Tasmania. The populations of this species in Australia are known to be nomadic like most water birds in Australia, moving from one water source to another, often entering habitats they have not previously occupied, taking advantage of flooding and heavy rain where the surplus of food allows them to breed and raise their young. Irruptive movements may occur when environmental conditions are right in places where the species has been rare or absent.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
03 · When
When to look
When can you see a White-necked Heron?
The White-necked Heron is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does a White-necked Heron eat?
The White-necked Heron feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, terrestrial vertebrates and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
6 photos
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