Western Reef Heron vs White-faced Heron

Western Reef Heron

Egretta gularis

Large312 gCoastal

This bird has two plumage colour forms. There is an all-white morph and a dark grey morph; morphs can also occur with intermediate shades of grey which may be related to age or particoloured in grey and white. The white morph is similar in general appearance to the little egret, but has a larger yellower bill, extended yellow on thicker legs, and when foraging tends to be very active, sometimes also moving its wing or using it to shade the water surface.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Kaippally · CC BY 2.5

White-faced Heron

Egretta novaehollandiae

Large559 gWetland

The adult white-faced heron is medium-sized for the family and mostly pale blue-grey. The forehead, crown, chin and upper throat are white. The crown pattern is variable, with the white occasionally spreading down the neck; the variability makes identification of individuals possible. The iris may be grey, green, dull yellow or cinnamon. The regions between the eye and bill on the side of the head (lores) are black. The beak is black and often pale grey at the base. Voice: The most common call of the white-faced heron is a gravelly croak or gobble, graak or graaw and is typically given in flight, in interactions or in aggressive encounters. Another call, gow, gow, gow is typically given upon returning to a nest. High pitched wrank, oooooooooh or aaarrrgh calls are given as alarm calls.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Brian Ralphs from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Western Reef Heron and White-faced Heron.