Tuesday 1 April 2014

White-faced Heron




I have spotted this beautiful bird flying off a number of times as I've walked through the paddocks, but haven't managed to photograph it until yesterday.



The white-faced heron arrived in New Zealand in the 1940's and is now our most common heron.  This elegant medium sized heron can be seen most often around rocky shores and mudflats, but this one seems happy to live on the farm.



Their diet consists of small fish, crabs, worms, insects, spiders, mice, lizards and frogs, most of which he can find in and around the paddocks.



They seem happy to be solitary birds until the breeding season, which will be coming up in a few months.  Hopefully he can lure a lady friend to come and share his patch of rural New Zealand.



16 comments:

  1. They are indeed an elegant breed, Jocee.

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  2. He is a beautiful looking bird.

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  3. Beautiful Heron and great photos for OWT ~ ^_^

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  4. Oh you got some great shots of this handsome bird!

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  5. It seems to be very content! :)
    Great captures!

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  6. It is a beautiful heron, great sighting. Your photos are wonderful.. Have a happy week!

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  7. Nice bird - and probably more welcome than some Australian wildlife "exports"!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  8. Great serie of photos, - nice bird!

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  9. Wonderful photos of this beautiful bird.

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  10. Beautiful shots! Herons are one of my favorite birds. This is a species we don't have here.

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  11. HI Yes I have seen this bird in Australia and indeed it is very elegant.

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  12. Oh what a great yard bird and unusual... I hope he finds a mate and that they stay on your faem.. Michelle from Nature Notes...

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  13. How wonderful to have such a beautiful bird on your farm!

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  14. Smart bird and glad you shared this one

    Cheers
    Dave

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  15. Very nice series of images! "Elegant" does seem to be the right word to describe him.

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