Pied heron
| Pied heron | |
|---|---|
| |
| At Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | Egretta |
| Species: | E. picata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Egretta picata | |
| |
| Distribution. Green: year-round breeding, blue: nonbreeding. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The pied heron (Egretta picata), also known as the pied egret[3] is a bird found in coastal and subcoastal areas of monsoonal northern Australia as well as some parts of Wallacea and New Guinea.
Taxonomy
[edit]_-_Fogg_Dam_-_Middle_Point_-_Northern_Territory_-_Australia.jpg)
The species was originally described by ornithologist John Gould in 1845. Recent taxonomists put this species in the genus Egretta. There are no recognised subspecies.[4]
Description
[edit]It is a small heron, 43–55 cm (17–22 in) long, with dark slaty wings, body, and crested head, with a white throat and neck. The appearance is similar to the white-necked heron.[3] Males (247–280 g (8.7–9.9 oz)) are heavier than females (225–242 g (7.9–8.5 oz)), but the two are similar in appearance.[5]
Immature birds lack the crest as well as the dark colouring on the head and may look like small versions of the white-necked heron. The juveniles were once classified as a separate species.[5]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Its habitat mainly comprises a range of wetlands and wet grasslands.
Behaviour
[edit]Call
[edit]The call of the pied heron is a loud 'awk' or 'ohrk' in flight.[3] Soft cooing is given around the nest.[5] Little else is known about vocalisations.[5]
Breeding
[edit]Breeding takes place from February to May.[3] It nests in trees above the water, including mangroves, often colonially with other species of heron. 1–2 blue-green eggs are laid in a shallow platform of sticks.[3]
Feeding
[edit]It feeds on insects, frogs, crabs, fish and other small aquatic animals. Insects are the most important source of food.[5] It may feed alone or in groups of up to a thousand individuals.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b BirdLife International. (2024). "Egretta picata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024: e.T22697037A264977849. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T22697037A264977849.en. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Species factsheet: Egretta picata". BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Pizzey, Graham; Knight, Frank (1997). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Sydney, Australia: HarperCollinsPublishers. p. 111. ISBN 0-207-18013-X.
- ^ "Pied Heron, Egretta picata, Taxonomy". Retrieved 25 February 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f Kushlan, James Anthony; Hancock, James; Thelwell, David (2005). The Herons. Oxford University Press. p. 170. ISBN 0-19-854981-4.
Bibliography
[edit]
- Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Coordinators). (2000). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol.1: Ratites to Ducks. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 978-0-19-553068-1