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Eastern Reef Egret
Egretta sacra
-16.4804, 145.461
Field Notes
Description:
There are two colour forms of the Eastern Reef Egret. The white form has a white body and wings, a yellow and grey bill, a bare face that is green-yellow, and dull yellow-grey legs. The dark form has a slate-grey body and wings, with a small white streak on the throat, the bill is slate-brown, and the legs are grey. The eyes of both forms are yellow. The Eatern Reef Egret is also called the Eastern Reef Heron, and the dark form the Blue Heron or Blue Reef Heron.
Habitat:
The Eastern Reef Egret lives on beaches, rocky shores, tidal rivers and inlets, mangroves, and exposed coral reefs.
Notes:
Feeding:
Eastern Reef Egrets hunt by both day and night for small fish, crustaceans and insects. They also invade colonies of nesting terns and steal fish brought in to feed to the young. It is often recognised by its feeding behaviour: it feeds in clear water and hunts its prey by stealth, by crouching low as it moves through shallow water or over rocks and coral.
Breeding:
The Eastern Reef Egret breeds throughout the year. The nests can be in trees in island woodlands, or on the ground under shrubs or rock ledges. The stick nest platform is lined with seaweed. Nesting occurs in single pairs or in small colonies. Both sexes incubate the eggs and the young remain in the nest for up to 6 weeks.
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