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White-faced HeronAlternative names: "White-fronted Heron", "Blue Crane" Aboriginal name: "budhuulgaa" [yuwaalaraay] |
Sightings
As for White-necked Herons, there is no need to go far for seeing a White-faced Heron; there are plenty along water edges almost all through the Australian continent, both inland and along the seashores. They can hunt in groups or solitary.
One peculiarity observed by us is a White-faced Heron at a kangaroo carcass. If not scavenging, the only other possibility is that it was looking for grubs to pick off the carcass.
Photos
White-faced Heron checking out reeds in a small pond (click on image for larger version)
White-faced Heron on a fencepost (click on image for larger version)
White-faced Heron on a dead tree just south of Boggabri, New South Wales (click on image to make the bird look the other way)
White-faced Heron in a water hole in Bohena Creek, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales
White-faced Heron flying away; note the clear distinction between dark flight feathers and lighter plumage
Here a bird in flight, with the typical folded neck and trailing legs (click on image for larger version)