White-necked Heron

Ardea pacifica

Clarksdale Bird Sanctuary, nr Linton, SW Vic IMG_3970 20240104 - breeding plumage. CLICK for preening.

Notes: Large, slate-grey to black w. mostly white head, neck; dark legs. White 'headlights' on
dark wings. Breeding: neck white, sometimes faint double-line of dark spots; maroon scapulars.
Non-breeding: larger spots on centre of throat; sparser scapulars. Juvenile: greyer tinged neck
w. heavy speckling. Widespread in shallow freshwater habitats. Nests in trees over water.

Range from HeronConservation, IUCN-SCC Sig©
Mutton Hole Wetland, Normanton, NW Qld IMG_6953 20160709 - WnH breeding plumage, w. Little Egret, Brolga family.
CLICK for one w. Glossy Ibis at Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, FNE Qld 20191109. Balbirooroo Wetlands, Balnarring, S Vic IMG_9185 20211127 - breeding plumage: maroon scapulars, white neck-plumes.
CLICK for another pic. Clarksdale Bird Sanctuary, nr Linton, SW Vic IMG_3857 20240104 - breeding plumage w. Popplebonk frog. See video of it
dining. CLICK for closeup of Popplebonk frog. Windjana Gorge, NW WA IMG_9978 20180827 - transitioning non-breeding plumage: spots on neck. Cumberland Dam, Georgetown, FN Qld IMG_1204 20210510 - non-breeding plumage in flight. Mutchilba, Mareeba, FN Qld IMG_2601 20200609 - non-breeding plumage; showing white "headlights" on carpal joints. Cattana Wetlands, Carins, FN Qld IMG_3150 20171006 - non-breeding plumage: large spots on neck. Buttons Crossing, Kununurra, NE WA IMG_6641 20180812 - maroon scapulars. Kerang, Wetland, N Vic IMG_2629 20170319 - juvenile: greyer-fringed neck w. heavy speckling. Clarksdale Bird Sanctuary, nr Linton SW IMG_3860+3861 20240104 - breeding plumage. Caught a Popplebonk frog and
spends several minutes trying to eat it before succeeding. Leichhardt Lagoon, Normanton, FN Qld IMG_6370 20200622 - non-breeding Windjana Gorge, Gregory NP, Binns Track, NT MVI_9980 20180827 - non-breeding