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Kakapo

White-faced heron


white-faced heron
 

Self introduced from Australia the white-faced heron is now the most common heron having benefited from the widespread conversion of forest to farmland. They are found throughout Australia and also occur in Indonesia, New Guinea and New Caledonia.

White-faced herons can be found anywhere where there is water, from tidal mudflats and coastal reefs to moist grasslands and gardens. They feed on a wide variety of prey, including fish, insects and amphibians. Food is obtained in a variety of ways, such as walking and disturbing prey, searching among damp crevices or simply standing in the water and watching for movement.

 
reef heron and white-faced heron
 
 
Taxonomy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Ciconiiformes
Family:Ardeidae
Genera:Ardea
Species:novaehollandiae
Sub Species:novaehollandiae

Other common names:  — 
Matuka-moana, blue heron, blue crane.

Description:  — 
Native bird
67 cm., 550 g., light blue-grey in colour, white face, grey-black bill, legs long and dull yellow in colour. Sexes are similar. When breeding, long feathers (nuptial plumes) on the head, neck and back. Juveniles similar in appearance to the non-breeding adults with little or no white on the face. Slow bouncing flight.

Where to find:  — 
Widespread and common.


Credit for the photograph: — 

Illustration description: — 
Gould, Birds of Australia, 1840-48.

Buller, Walter Lawry, Birds of New Zealand, 1st edition, 1873.

Reference(s): — 
Heather, B., & Robertson, H., Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, 2000.

Oliver, W.R.B., New Zealand Birds, 1955.

Page date & version: — 
Thursday, 7 July, 2005; ver200506
© 2005Narena Olliver,  new zealand birds limited ,  Greytown, New Zealand.
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