Bill is more slender, slightly recurved bill and darker belly, elongated plumes on back more in evidence, nuchal crest longer. Juvenile more rufous, with heavier white streaks on neck and underparts.
Not Threatened.
Bill is more slender, slightly recurved bill and darker belly, elongated plumes on back more in evidence, nuchal crest longer. Juvenile more rufous, with heavier white streaks on neck and underparts.
100-115 cm, 1300-2600 g
Taxonomy:
- Ardea Sumatrana Raffles, 1822, Sumatra. Forms superspecies with A. insignis. Validity of race mathewsae doubtful. Two subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- *sumatrana Raffles, 1822 - Burma, Thailand and S Viet Nam to Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea. *mathewsae Mathews, 1912 - N Australia.
Occurs exclusively in rocky or mangrove covered islands.Generally solitary. Hunts by standing quietly along the water’s edge or striding slowly in the shallows.
Feeds on fish, crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates. Nests in isolated mangrove stands in remote islands.
In any month in Australia.