AGM 2019
Date posted: 09-Sep-2019
Our Annual General Meeting was held at 7:30 pm on Monday 23rd September at the F..
More plaudits for Tiritiri Matangi
Date posted: 15-Jul-2019
Recognition of the wonderful experience visitors have when visiting the Island h..
Results of the 2019 Photo Competition
Date posted: 15-Jul-2019
The results of this year's competition have now been decided. Click here (/2019-photo-co..
Lighthouse Open Day
Date posted: 30-Apr-2019
Our historic lighthouse, signal station and diaphonic foghorn will all be on dis..
We need a new Treasurer
Date posted: 08-Apr-2019
The Supporters need a new treasurer to take over in September when Kevin Vaughan..
2019 Concert
Date posted: 05-Feb-2019
OrigiNZ, the tartan taonga are returning for the 2019 concert.
Click..
Tiri's three unique foghorns
Date posted: 01-Feb-2019
Our next social event will take place on Monday 18th March when Carl Hayson and ..
Young Conservation Superstars win awards!
Date posted: 27-Jan-2019
Gabriel Barbosa and teacher Kate Asher, a team leader who co..
Entries for the 2019 photo competition
Date posted: 19-Jan-2019
We are now taking entries for the 2019 photographic competition. You can enter u..
Hihi volunteer needed
Date posted: 18-Oct-2018
Would you like to volunteer with the Island's hihi team and learn from them how ..
White-Faced Heron
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Scientific name: |
Ardea novaehollandiae novaehollandiae |
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Conservation status: |
Native. Not threatened |
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Mainland status: |
Widespread and common |
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Size: |
67cm, 550g |
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Lifespan: |
Unknown |
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Breeding: |
June - October |
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Diet: |
Fish, frogs, invertebrates, mice |
Self introduced from Australia the white-faced Heron is now the most common heron, having benefited from the widespread conversion of forest to farmland.
This slim bluish-grey heron has a white face, chin and upper throat, and a black bill and greenish-yellow legs. Strap-shaped plumes which form in the breeding season are long and pale grey on the back and short and pinkish brown on the chest. The call is a guttural croak.
The diet is fish, frogs and tadpoles, aquatic and pasture insects, spiders, earthworms and mice.
Breeding takes place between June and February with the peak about October.The nest is an untidy bundle of sticks and twigs usually high up in a large tree. Both adults incubate for about 26 days and usually two chicks are raised and fed by both parents.
Although white-faced herons are extremely common on the mainland close to Tiritiri Matangi, they are not often seen on the Island because the habitats they most favour (mudflats and pasture) are not present there.
Learn more about the white-faced heron at New Zealand Birds Online.
Photography by: Max McRae © (Top Right, Bottom Left) and by Dr Kerry Rodgers © (Bottom Right)
References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.