Pacific Reef-Heron

1. Two colour morphs: all-white or all dark slate-grey

2. Stocky body with a thick bill and short yellow-grey legs

3. Hunched, crouched posture when feeding

These herons feed on small fish, crabs, crustaceans, molluscs, and worms, using a variety of hunting techniques such as wing-flicking, foot-stirring, and crouching low to ambush prey. They are active hunters and may feed alone, in pairs, or in small groups, often defending their feeding territories. Breeding can occur throughout the year but peaks between September and January in Australia. Nests are built from sticks in low vegetation, cliff ledges, or occasionally on the ground of offshore islands, with both parents sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties.

Pacific Reef Herons are strictly coastal and are rarely seen far from the ocean. In Australia, they inhabit rocky shores, coral reefs, tidal platforms, mangroves, estuaries, and offshore islands. They are most active and visible during low tide, especially at dawn and dusk, as they forage in the intertidal zone. Dark morphs are more common in southern parts of their range, while white morphs are more frequent in tropical areas with coral reefs. Its southernmost range is in New Zealand.