Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Rufous Night Heron
Nycticorax caledonicus
9.87049, 122.724
Field Notes
Description:
The rufous night heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) also commonly referred to as the nankeen night heron, is a medium-sized heron found throughout much of Australia except the arid inland, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia, including a small colony established near Wanganui, New Zealand. Widespread throughout its large range, the rufous night heron is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Habitat:
Recent research from the Central Philippines State University reveals that rufous night herons are now known to inhabit and breed atop crown-dominant trees in reforested areas, this is apart from their natural habitat in mangrove forests near rivers, tidal flats and beaches. The birds are not strictly nocturnal as they can also be seen feeding during the day but they most commonly feed at night in shallow water on a wide variety of insects, crustaceans, fish and amphibians.
Notes:
Size: 56-64 cm. A stocky heron with rich cinnamon upperparts, white-buff underparts, a black crown, and yellow legs and feet. The head is large, the neck short (giving a stooped appearance), and the legs relatively short. During breeding the back of the head bears three white nuptial plumes. The bill is dark olive-green, and the eyes are yellow. Young birds are heavily spotted and streaked white, brown and orange-brown. As they mature, the black cap of the adult develops first, with the body plumage remaining streaked for some time.
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment
Sign in to comment