Pied Heron

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iPied Heron
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Ardea
Species: A. picata
Binomial name
Ardea picata
(Gould, 1845)

The Pied Heron, Ardea picata, is found in coastal and subcoastal areas of monsoonal northern Australia as well as some parts of Wallacea and New Guinea.

It is a small heron, with dark slaty wings, body and crested head, with a white throat and neck. Immature birds lack the crest as well as the dark colouring on the head and may look like small versions of the White-necked Heron. Its habitat mainly comprises a range of wetlands and wet grasslands. It feeds on insects and other small aquatic animals. It nests in trees, including mangroves, often colonially with other species of heron.

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