Only the dark phase occurs in New Zealand.  This slate-grey heron has a long heavy horn-coloured to yellowish bill and short yellow-green legs.  In the breeding season, long strap-like plumes form on the beak and short ones form on the nape and fore neck.  The call is a guttural croak when disturbed or at the nest.

The Reef Heron eats mainly small fish, including eels and flounder, crabs and molluscs caught along rocky shores and tidal inlets where they live.

Breeding is between September and January.  The nest, which is a platform of sticks and twigs, is built on rock ledges in caves or rock crevices, in clumps of flax or among the roots of pohutukawa.  The two to four pale turquoise coloured eggs are incubated by both sexes for 25-28 days.  Chicks fledge when 5-6 weeks old.

Reef Heron are decreasing in numbers due to increased human disturbance on the coast.  They are seen on the rocks around Tiri.

Photography by:  Ian Southey ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.
Moon, G The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds.