About the Great-billed Heron
The great-billed heron is a wading bird of the heron family, resident from southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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The great-billed heron is a large bird, typically standing 115 cm (45 in) tall and weighing up to 2.6 kg (5.7 lb). It resembles the purple heron in appearance, although it is larger and darker. The plumage is largely dark grey above. In flight, it has a uniform dark grey upperwing. The flight is slow, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The species feeds in shallow water, spearing fish with its long, sharp bill. It will wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Brunei.
When to see it
Peak activity in September · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Humblot's HeronArdea humblotiHumblot's heron has a uniform dark gray plumage on its body and darker feathers on its forehead and chin.
White-bellied HeronArdea insignisThe white-bellied heron has a uniform dark grey plumage, a whitish belly, and long silvery or whitish plumes on the rear crown and lower foreneck.
Goliath HeronArdea goliathIt is the world's largest living heron (though the extinct Bennu heron was larger).
Learn the Great-billed Heron for real
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