Pacific Reef Heron Similar Species: Usually distinguished from other herons by strictly coastal maritime habitat. Dark morph distinguished from other grey herons in Aust. and NZ by absence of any obvious white in plumage. In flight, uniform grey upper- and under-wings distinguish it from other grey herons, which have contrasting dark remiges and paler upper and under wing-coverts, particularly from White-faced Heron A novaehollandiae, which also has white on face and throat, is more slender, with more upright, less hunched stance. Not likely to be confused with Pacific A pacifica, Pied A picata or Great-billed A sumatrana Herons, which are larger or have striking white necks or both. White morph may be confused with other all-white herons.
Great Egret A alba is larger, more slender with black legs, obviously longer neck and all-yellow or black bill. Intermediate Egret A intermedia has bill, pure yellow to orange-red, and black legs. Little Egret A garzetta has light build with black bill and legs, and yellow feet. Swinhoe's Egret A eulophotes in non-breeding plumage is probably indistinguishable in the field from white morph Eastern Reef Egret (see Hancock & Elliott 1978; Hancock & Kushlan 1984) but has not yet occurred in our region.
Cattle Egret A ibis is smaller, with stockier hunched silhouette, shorter bill and is usually gregarious, feeding in parties with cattle. Occur singly, in pairs or small family groups; mostly on rocky marine shores, intertidal mudflats and muddy estuarine waterways; in NZ and Pacific islands also occasionally at freshwater lakes and marshes. Flight direct, with more rapid wing-beats than most egrets and herons, with head drawn back and feet trailing slightly beyond tail; usually close to ground or water but up to 40-50 m high.
Take-off laboured with legs dangling and neck sometimes partly extended. Longer flights often end with glides. Roost and nest in loose colonies or solitarily; prefer roosts on rocky outcrops near feeding sites. Forage in shallow water, mostly at low tide, using variety of techniques: low-stalking, upright-stalking, crouching, foot-stirring and aerial feeding. Typical stance more crouched and horizontal than most other herons and egrets. Harsh, guttural calls, mostly during breeding periods.
