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Pacific Reef Heron

Egretta sacra

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesCoastalPlatform nestLarge · 502 g
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 1
Photo: coenobita · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 2
Photo: Joe Dillon · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 3
Photo: Jacqui Geux · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 4
Photo: Thorsten Hackbarth · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 5
Photo: Thorsten Hackbarth · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 6
Photo: Shaun Lee · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 7
Photo: Shaun Lee · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 8
Photo: Richard Littauer · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 9
Photo: coenobita · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra), photo 10
Photo: Joe Dillon · CC BY 4.0

ID tip

Pacific reef herons are medium-sized herons, reaching 57 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in) in length. They have a wingspan of between 90 and 110 cm (35 and 43 in) and reach an average weight of 400 g (14 oz). The species displays an unusual, non-sexual dimorphism, with some members having entirely white plumage ('light' morph) and others (the larger portion) being charcoal-grey ('dark' morph). The reason for the colour variation or "morph", is unknown, though it is most commonly thought to be related to camouflage. The plumage of immature herons tends to be browner and duller in colour.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Pacific Reef Heron

One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Pacific Reef Heron

Regular range

The map shades 40 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Australia Taiwan Thailand New Zealand Indonesia India Hong Kong SAR China Malaysia Fiji Japan Philippines French Polynesia Palau Singapore Guam Northern Mariana Islands Papua New Guinea Vanuatu South Korea Vietnam Cook Islands Solomon Islands China New Caledonia Samoa Marshall Islands Timor-Leste Micronesia American Samoa Tonga Macao SAR China Cambodia Myanmar (Burma) Niue Wallis & Futuna Kiribati Brunei Bangladesh Tokelau Pitcairn Islands

About the Pacific Reef Heron

The Pacific reef heron, also known as the eastern reef heron or eastern reef egret, is a species of heron found throughout southern Asia and Oceania. It occurs in two colour morphs with either slaty grey or pure white plumage. The sexes are similar in appearance.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) Western Reef HeronEgretta gularisThis bird has two plumage colour forms. Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca) Black HeronEgretta ardesiacaThe black heron is a medium-sized bird, with a typical height range of 42.5 to 66 cm (16.7 to 26.0 in). Pied Heron (Egretta picata) Pied HeronEgretta picataIt is a small heron, 43–55 cm (17–22 in) long, with dark slaty wings, body, and crested head, with a white throat and neck.

Side by side: Pacific Reef Heron vs White-faced Heron · Pacific Reef Heron vs Reddish Egret · Pacific Reef Heron vs Western Reef Heron · Black Heron vs Pacific Reef Heron · Pacific Reef Heron vs Pied Heron

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