Scientific Name: Egretta sacra
Malay Name: Bangau Batu Pasifik
Chinese Name: 岩鹭
Range: Found from southern China to Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: sacra, albolineata.
Local Subspecies: sacra
Size: 58 cm
Identification: Adult dark morph has diagnostic overall dark greyish plumage and greenish legs while adult white morph resembles Chinese Egret but has shorter legs, somewhat thicker, less pointed and mostly yellowish bill.
Similar looking species: Eastern Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Medium Egret, Little Egret, Chinese Egret
Habitat: Rocky shores, islets, beaches, sometimes mudflats and even canals.
Behaviour/Ecology: Usually solitary or found in pairs. Exclusively coastal in habit preference.
Local Status: Uncommon resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2018)
Location: Marina Barrage, Pasir Ris Park, Pulau Hantu, Pulau Semakau, Pulau Ubin (Chek Jawa), Seletar Dam, Siglap Canal, Sungei Buloh and West Coast Park.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Pacific Reef-Heron)
References:
BirdLife International. (2018). Egretta sacra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22696980A131759460.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Pacific Reef Heron. Retrieved on December 19, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/pacific-reef-heron.