White-faced Heron

We had such a great time at Mt. Barker yesterday, running out of time as the light began to fall, and so we went straight back there again today when Paladian returned from the Farmer's Market.

The White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) is mostly light blue-grey in colour, with a characteristic white face. In flight, the dark flight feathers of the wing contrast with the paler grey plumage, making this beautiful bird easily identifiable when viewed from below.

Taller.

It has a long, slim neck and a pointed grey-black bill. The legs are long and dull yellow in colour. This heron was moving slowly in the Laratinga Wetlands when I spotted him and as soon as I moved closer he moved faster to move away!

These White-faced Herons are the most commonly seen herons in Australia. They also occur in Indonesia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand.

I last blipped a White-faced Heron on November 22nd when we were down at Goolwa.
This makes 8 birds blipped in the last 12 days!