Egretta novaehollandiae

White-faced Heron at Penrose, NSW

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Identification history

Egretta novaehollandiae

1 Aug 2019

NigeHartley

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User's notes

Common year round visitor to dams and even garden on occasions, usually singles

6 comments

KarenG wrote:

1 Aug 2019

Lovely shot of the bird in flight Nigel!

BLSHFour wrote:

1 Aug 2019

This is an incorrect identification. It is Ardea pacifica, White necked Heron. It is definitely not a white faced heron. Please correct. BLSHFour

BLSHTwo wrote:

1 Aug 2019

Sorry BLSH4, I believe it is a White-faced heron for a number of reasons; the wings appear darker than normal for a WFH because the underside is heavily shaded, the head is not all white and most conspicuously, the legs are yellow which is consistent with a WFH.

Jenjen wrote:

2 Aug 2019

Yes, once you get your eye in to the colour contrast and shadows - it is definitely white-faced heron - plays tricks with your eyes!

BLSHFour wrote:

2 Aug 2019

But please....look again. The WFH head is not all white...the crown is grey. The WFH neck and body on the under side is grey with rufous over tones and the vent is not white. This bird has a white head, a white neck, a white body and a white vent. On both wings at the elbow one can just see the two headlights and the length of trailing legs is significant. Check in the CSIRO guide where there are images of both birds flying on page 183. This is a white necked heron. BLSHFour

natureguy wrote:

2 Aug 2019

Hi all, this is clearly a White-faced Heron. White-faced Herons have a pale grey body and white face only (not the whole neck). This sighting from CNM shows a White-faced Heron in flight for comparison (https://canberra.naturemapr.org/Community/Sightings/Details/3388075). White-necked Herons are larger and also have a darker body with a completely white neck. See this White-necked Heron in flight (https://canberra.naturemapr.org/Community/Sightings/Details/4190465). Hope this helps.
Luke

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