White-Faced Heron

Description:

Spotted Blockhouse Bay Beach on the Manukau harbour, Auckland. Native species self introduced from Australia with first confirmed breeding in 1941. Blue grey plummage, white face uppper chin and throat. Bill black. Legs and feet greenish-yellow. Long narrow pale grey plumes on back can be seen in breeding season. Length 67cm, weight 550g.

Habitat:

Found in a variety of habitats including mudflats, estuaries, rocky shores, harbours and lagoons where it feeds mainly on fish, frogs and tadpoles.

Notes:

Nests in solitary pairs or small groups from June to February. The nest is a bundle of sticks high in old conifers or eucalpyt trees.Lays up to four pale blue-greeh eggs. Makes a guttural croaking sound especially when approaching the nest. Plummage is more bluish with a less hunched gait than a reef heron. Also appears slightly larger.