Eastern Reef Egret, white form.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Eastern Reef Egret, grey form.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Eastern Reef Egret nestlings.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Eastern Reef Egret. Note head plume.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Egretta sacra
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Eastern Reef Egret
Scientific name: Egretta sacra
Family: Ardeidae
Order: Ciconiiformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Water birds
What does it look like?
Description
There are two colour forms of the Eastern Reef Egret. The white form has a white body and wings, a yellow and grey bill, a bare face that is green-yellow, and dull yellow-grey legs. The dark form has a slate-grey body and wings, with a small white streak on the throat, the bill is slate-brown, and the legs are grey. The eyes of both forms are yellow. The Eatern Reef Egret is also called the Eastern Reef Heron, and the dark form the Blue Heron or Blue Reef Heron.
Similar species
The White-faced Heron, E. novaehollandiae, is also grey, like the dark form of the Eastern Reef Egret, but is a lighter tone of grey, has a white face, a more extensive white throat, and clearer yellow legs. All other egrets are similar to the white form in body colour, but have more slender bodies, finer bills and longer legs.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Eastern Reef Egret is found on the coast and islands of most of Australia, but is more common on the Queensland coast and Great Barrier Reef than elsewhere. It is now rare on Victorian and Tasmanian coasts. The dark form predominates in temperate areas, the white form in the tropics.
Habitat
The Eastern Reef Egret lives on beaches, rocky shores, tidal rivers and inlets, mangroves, and exposed coral reefs.
Seasonal movements
Eastern Reef Egrets are largely sedentary.What does it do?
Feeding
Eastern Reef Egrets hunt by both day and night for small fish, crustaceans and insects. They also invade colonies of nesting terns and steal fish brought in to feed to the young. It is often recognised by its feeding behaviour: it feeds in clear water and hunts its prey by stealth, by crouching low as it moves through shallow water or over rocks and coral.Breeding
The Eastern Reef Egret breeds throughout the year. The nests can be in trees in island woodlands, or on the ground under shrubs or rock ledges. The stick nest platform is lined with seaweed. Nesting occurs in single pairs or in small colonies. Both sexes incubate the eggs and the young remain in the nest for up to 6 weeks.References
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Morcombe, M. 2000. Field guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing.
Higgins, P.J. and S.J.J.F. Davies (eds) 1996. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 3 (Snipe to Pigeons). Oxford University Press, Victoria.
Slater, P, Slater, P, and Slater, R 1989. The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds. Lansdowne. Revised edition.