White-faced Heron, a Native Common bird in New Zealand

Distribution Map

White-faced Heron

Egretta novaehollandiae

NativeStatus

CommonRarity

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Species Description

The White-faced Heron is a graceful, medium-sized bird that has become a common sight across New Zealand since its arrival in the 1940s. With its elegant blue-grey plumage and distinctive white face, this adaptable heron can be spotted in various wetland habitats throughout the country.

Fun Facts

White-faced Herons are skilled hunters, using their quick reflexes to snatch prey with lightning speed.

1. Blue-grey plumage with a distinct white face and throat

2. Long, dark grey bill and pale yellow legs

3. Graceful stalking behaviour in shallow water or damp fields

White-faced Herons are opportunistic feeders, adapting well to various habitats. They breed from August to December, building flimsy stick nests in trees near water. Both parents share incubation duties and care for their chicks. These herons are partially migratory, moving in response to local conditions.

Look for White-faced Herons near any shallow water bodies, including estuaries, lake edges, and farm ponds. They're also frequent visitors to damp pastures and even urban parks after rain. Dawn and dusk are ideal times to spot these birds patiently stalking their prey. For the best chance of seeing one, scan the edges of wetlands or keep an eye out for their slow, deliberate steps across grassy areas.

The White-faced Heron is a relatively new addition to New Zealand's avifauna, having naturally colonised the country in the 1940s. Since then, it has rapidly spread across the islands, including the Chatham Islands, becoming one of the most widespread heron species in the country.