Found throughout the Australian mainland and Tasmania, and most coastal islands. It also occurs in Indonesia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand.
Can be observed in a variety of wetland habitats: they occur on reefs, in rock pools and mudflats by the coast, in estuaries and saltmarsh, swamps, rivers, drains and at farm dams; they even occur in pasture and hypersaline wetlands. The White-faced Heron feeds on a wide variety of prey, including insects, amphibians and fish.
Prey is obtained in a variety of ways, including walking and disturbing prey, searching among damp crevices or simply standing in the water and watching for movement.
Atlas of Living Australia at Egretta novaehollanidae Accessed 29 July 2020.
Birdlife Australia at http://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/white-faced-heron Accessed 27 July 2020.