White-necked or Pacific Heron

Description:

Very large heron up to 90cm. Slate grey wings, tail, back, body & neck/head white with some dark speckling and barring on neck front and belly on immature birds less visible on mature birds. Distinctive white shoulder patch seen in flight. Flight is also distinctive loping slow wing beats. Feeds on aquatic life, frogs etc. Call is a low croak or ratchety sound. Most often seen alone or in larger groups especially when breeding. Breeds all year round according to conditions and areas.

Habitat:

Found throughout most of Australia in wetland areas, swamps, farmlands...

Notes:

Often said to be seen along I am fortunate in seeing larger groups of these herons here on a regular basis.