White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae

A breeding pair of White-faced Herons taken on 13 September 2012.

Whilst down the Tenterfield Creek waiting for my neighbour to come home I spotted these two White-faced Herons. I have only just been able to identify these birds as this is the first photo I have of them side on and of their faces. They usually don't like humans hanging around them, let alone being in close proximity to them, and will always fly away rather quickly. About 30 seconds after this photo was taken both birds flew away.

White-faced Herons can be seen in the immediate area surrounding the Tenterfield Creek, and actually in the creek itself. They seem to prefer the shallowest water to wade in, in order to find aquatic insects to eat. Rarely will they venture further away from the Tenterfield Creek to find food.

These birds generally are solitary until they breed, which in Tenterfield, in in Spring. These two birds do not nest in the immediate area. I have no idea where they nest actually but they make a nest of sticks that is placed in a tree.

White-faced Herons are between 60 - 70cm tall, averaging around 65cm. They apparently have legs that are a dull yellow colour. They are common in Tenterfield but their numbers are extremely low.