Local Herons.

I stumbled across this beautiful White-necked Heron (Pacific Heron) recently with its breeding plumage on full show. It was beside a small dam as I walked by. It’s sometimes called a Blue Crane in Australia. The White-necked is uncommon around my location as they are more associated with larger wetlands and streamsides.

The White-necked Heron likes being near or on water bodies working the shallows looking for frogs, insects or fish. Learn more about the species Here

This White-faced Heron has a similar name, the one above is also in breeding plumage but with its long neck tucked in. It is similar but smaller to the White-necked, it is mostly grey in colour. This Heron is quite common around my area often seen in moist grasslands and gardens looking for worms, beetles or sometimes the odd frog. Learn more about the White-faced Heron Here.

Both photos were taken with a Panasonic DC-FZ80D digital bridge camera. I live on the eastern slopes of the Warby Range in north east Victoria, Australia. This location is not generally considered a waterbird hotspot, mostly woodland birds except around farm water storages.

I use eBird to record my bird sitings.