Name:
White-faced Heron

Genus:
Egretta novaehollandiae

Description:
One of the most common herons in Australia is the White-faced Heron; a small pale grey heron with a white face and yellow legs.

The white face extends to just behind the eye and onto the throat. The dark bill is paler at the base and is well suited to catching small fish.

During the breeding season the bird develops long plumes on the nape, mantle and back; and short pale chestnut plumes on the lower neck and breast.

In flight they are stately and sometimes extend their necks briefly. They are not migratory and can be found all year round.

White-faced Herons can be found in many diverse and widespread habitats throughout the country. They feed in shallow wetlands, margins of swamps, dams and lakes and salt and brackish estuaries.

In these places, they prey mainly on fish, amphibians, crustaceans and other invertebrates. Other feeding habitats include damp or flooded pastures, golf courses and garden fishponds.

Nesting takes place in single pairs or rarely in small colonies from September to December.

The flimsy stick nest is a rough platform built in a tall tree often well away from water. The birds lay three to five eggs and both male and female share the incubation duties. The young birds leave the nest after about forty five days.

You should be able to see these herons feeding around the edges of the ponds in Centennial Park or looking for grasshoppers on the playing fields.