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Egretta novaehollandiae
Water bird and well known in Australia. Soft grey feathers, lighter belly and white face, pointed, long grey beak, long yellow legs. feeds on aquatic/marine animals such as frogs, crustaceans, also eats small birds, rodents and insects. Call is usually a croak either short or extended call.
Found throughout Australia where bodies of water exist. This one on coastal mangrove swamp.
Photo shows a crab the bird has collected in its beak.
Spotted on Jan 24, 2014
Submitted on Jan 27, 2014
4 Comments
Thank you Hema Shah for comment.
superb!
Thanks beaker98! My pleasure to share these images. These herons are usually seen alone and are quite 'nervy'. I was fortunate to have a pair nesting in a tree at home, and they used our dam for fishing. It was in the hollow of a mistletoe growing on the branch of a Spotted Gum tree that had previously been used as a nesting spot for a Pacific Baza (Crested Hawk), Whistling Kite and Blue faced Honeyeaters! A very sought after apartment. Size of these herons is about mid way between the Cattle Egret and Intermediate Egret.
Another heron species I have never seen before! Very nice and thanks for sharing kd!