Ardea sumatrana sumatrana

(Raffles, 1822)

Vernacular names
English : Great-billed heron
French : Héron typhon

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ardeidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 115 cm in length for a weight of 2.6 kg. Plumage overall dark grey with a slight pinkish-brown tinge on neck. Long light crest behind neck, whitish ornamental plumes on lower neck, breast and wings. Large bill.

Range and habitat
Subspecies found in coastal regions of South-East Asia, from Myanmar and Vietnam to Indonesia and New Guinea. Species also found in Australia. Lives in coastal swamps and mangroves with tall trees, mouths of large rivers.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread but its habitat is under heavy pressure throughout its range. Local extinctions have taken place.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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