White-necked Heron
Ardea pacifica
A tall Australian and New Guinean heron of wetlands, floodplains, farm dams, estuaries, and rain-filled grasslands. It hunts alone by standing motionless or walking slowly, then spearing fish, frogs, crustaceans, insects, reptiles, and small mammals with its long bill. Adults fly with slow, broad wingbeats and the neck folded back in typical heron fashion. A notable feature is the strong contrast between the white neck, dark cap, and slate-grey body, making it one of the region's most recognizable large wading birds.
- Type
- Water
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- White-necked Heron