The tallest heron in Australia, standing motionless for long periods before striking with its spear-like bill.
Not listed
Indigenous: Blukrein, Gargunja, Gawugmanja, Garwagarwagan, Maanhag, Golu, O-Gomorlo, Gomorlo, White-Necked Crane, Pacific Heron
At a glance
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatDistribution and habitat The white-necked heron is found throughout most of the Australian continent, commonly residing in wetlands, tidal areas, shallow fresh waters, farm dams, claypans, pastures and runoff water in roadside ditches.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from September to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
165613approx records
7states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
In flight shows white
Behavior
Best separated by flight shape, wing action, and feeding style over open water rather than by long views on land.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
New South Wales
Western Australia
Victoria
South Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania