White-faced heron

White-faced herons (Egretta novaehollandiae; formerly Ardea novaehollandiae) are relatively recent arrivals in Aotearoa, breeding here first in the 1940s although they visited from Australia before then. They're now common throughout the country and are guaranteed sightings around the lagoon at Flounder Bay, where I photographed this bird. Although photographed in mid May, it's already in breeding plumage (note the plumes on the back and breast).

All content © 2009 Pete McGregor