White-necked heron
| White-necked heron | |
|---|---|
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| In Edithvale Wetland, Melbourne, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | Ardea |
| Species: | A. pacifica |
| Binomial name | |
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Ardea pacifica Latham, 1801 |
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The white-necked heron, formally known as the Pacific heron (Ardea pacifica), is a species of heron that is found on most of the Australian continent wherever freshwater habitats exist. It is also found in parts of Indonesia, New Guinea and New Zealand, but is uncommon in Tasmania. The populations of this species in Australia are known to be nomadic like most water birds in Australia, moving from one water source to another often entering habitats they have not previously occupied. Taking advantage of flooding and heavy rain where the surplus of food allows them to breed and raise their young. Population explosions have been known when the environmental conditions are right for this species in places where they have been rare or unknown.
Large water dwelling bird, diurnal animal. Slate-grey to black with distinctive black spots in the centre of the lower fore-neck and throat. During breeding season plum coloured nuptial plumes are present on the back and breast. Flight: stately, slow steady wing beats. Body size/length 76–106 cm, Wingspan 147–160 cm, Weight 860g.
The bill is black and the facial skin is commonly blue or yellow. In this species of heron the eyes are green and the legs and feet also being black. Elongated neck and beak designed to reach out and catch fish, frogs, spiders and any other food source available in its habitat. Most of the head and neck is white with the black spots on the neck only visible in non-breeding individuals.
In the downy young, down is longer especially on the crown of the head with the neck and head being white and the upper wing and upperparts being a light grey brown. When juvenile feathers appear they are a dark grey. In Juveniles a broad strip of grey black runs down the front of the neck. Head and neck are commonly a brownish-grey tinge. The adult feathers emerge after wear replaces the juvenile feathers.
Ardea pacifica : Latham, 1801
The white-necked heron is found throughout most of the Australian continent commonly residing in wetlands, tidal areas, shallow fresh waters, farm dams, clay pans, pastures and run off water in road side ditches. The species has thrived since modifications were made to the Australian landscape through irrigation, dams and other man made water sources.
Not found in some parts of Western Australia and South Australia. Not found in arid zones, being the Great Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, and Great Victoria Desert also the Nullabor Plain. Information regarding movement of this species is still unknown due to irruptive habits, which are commonly attributed to environmental conditions forcing the white-necked heron to act in a certain way, maintaining genetic adaptions to the harsh Australian environment in order to survive.
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Wikipedia