Family

Ardeidae

Description

Bill longer and heavier, legs shorter than comparable herons or egrets. Two colour phases: 1) uniform dark-grey, with slight white streak down centre of throat; bill grey, facial skin yellow-green, legs grey with dull-yellow wash. 2) pure white, bill yellowish often with grey or horn coloured upper mandible, legs dull yellow-grey. Both have somewhat longer breeding plumes on back and breast.

Habits

Diurnal nocturnal, Forage both day and night. Hunts alone in an area excludes from others. Roosts and nests in loose colonies.

Habitat

Coastal, Rocky coasts; islands and reefs; mudflats; tidal flats; scrub; pandanus adjacent to beaches.

Notes

Photo Darwin Harbour

Breeding

September to January (nearly all year), 2 to 3; pale bluish-white, nest a simple platform of sticks in a tree., Incubation 25-28 day, young fledge in 5-6 wks.

Parks

Kakadu National Park

Diet

Carnivore, Small fishes; molluscs; crustaceans; marine life.

Details

Common Name: Eastern Reef Egret Scientific Name: Egretta (Ardea) sacra
Sub Order: Unavailable Order: Ciconiiformes
Class: Aves Category: Native
Status: Least Concern Size: 610 - 660 mm.

This page has been viewed times