Great-billed Heron

Ardea sumatrana

Family: Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 114–115 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs along the coasts of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Greater and Lesser Sundas, Philippines, and New Guinea south to Australia.

Identification

Non-breeding adult is a very large, long-necked heron with uniformly dusky grey plumage, and a long, stout black dagger-shaped bill. Adult in breeding plumage has distinct white-tipped greyish plumes on scapulars, lower foreneck and breast. Juvenile is warmer-tinged and paler than non-breeding adult, with brown streaks and markings on the throat and upperparts.

Habitat

Exclusively seen along coastal habitats including mangroves, mudflats and estuaries.

Behaviour

Usually solitary, stalking prey at the edge of mudflats or estuaries.