Pied heron
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The pied heron (Egretta picata), also known as the pied egret[1] is a bird found in coastal and subcoastal areas of monsoonal northern Australia as well as some parts of Wallacea and New Guinea.
Taxonomy
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The species was originally described by ornithologist John Gould in 1845. Recent taxonomists put this species in the genus Egretta. There are no recognised subspecies.[2]
Description
It is a small heron, Template:Cvt long, with dark slaty wings, body, and crested head, with a white throat and neck. The appearance is similar to the white-necked heron.[1] Males (Template:Cvt) are heavier than females (Template:Cvt), but the two are similar in appearance.[3]
Immature birds lack the crest as well as the dark colouring on the head and may look like small versions of the white-necked heron. The juveniles were once classified as a separate species.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Its habitat mainly comprises a range of wetlands and wet grasslands.
Behaviour
Call
The call of the pied heron is a loud 'awk' or 'ohrk' in flight.[1] Soft cooing is given around the nest.[3] Little else is known about vocalisations.[3]
Breeding
Breeding takes place from February to May.[1] It nests in trees above the water, including mangroves, often colonially with other species of heron. 1–2 blue-green eggs are laid in a shallow platform of sticks.[1]
Feeding
It feeds on insects, frogs, crabs, fish and other small aquatic animals. Insects are the most important source of food.[3] It may feed alone or in groups of up to a thousand individuals.[3]
References
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Bibliography
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- Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Coordinators). (2000). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol.1: Ratites to Ducks. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. Template:ISBN