Little Heron — Australian Bird Identification Guide

A small heron that is widespread and common across much of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

⚠️Not listed

🍃Indigenous: Green-Backed Bittern, Thick-Billed Green Bittern, Little Mangrove Bittern, Johnny Mangrove, Mangrove Heron, Green-Backed Heron, Mangrove Jack, Red Mangrove Heron

At a glance

FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns

SizeMedium

RarityCommon

HabitatIt inhabits both fresh water and salt water habitats, typically in mangroves but is also found in vegetation along rivers and streams.

Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Range map

Occurrence window

200approx hotspots

55935approx records

4states

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

Notably variable plumage across its range, but small size and overall gray color separates it from most other herons and bitterns. Juvenile streakier below than adult, and is much smaller and more slender, with a thinner, straighter bill, than juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron, with long streaks on the chest and spotting mostly restricted to the wings (though more extensive in African populations).