Pacific Reef Heron
Pacific Reef HeronPacific Reef HeronPacific Reef HeronPacific Reef Heron

Pacific Reef Heron

Egretta sacra

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
40–50% · Possible
overall probability at Ningaloo Marine Park
173 Verified records at Ningaloo Marine Park
November Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The Pacific reef heron (Egretta sacra), also known as the eastern reef heron or eastern reef egret, is a species of heron found throughout southern Asia and Oceania. It occurs in two colour morphs with either slaty grey or pure white plumage. The sexes are similar in appearance. Wikipedia →

40–50% of wildlife watchers report a Pacific Reef Heron sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park, based on 173 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Ningaloo Marine Park

White-faced Heron
LC

White-faced Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta novaehollandiae

20–30% · Possible
Little Egret
LC

Little Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta garzetta

5–10% · With luck
Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

20–30% · Possible
Striated Heron
LC

Striated Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Butorides striata

10–20% · With luck
Nankeen Night-Heron
LC

Nankeen Night-Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Nycticorax caledonicus

<5% · Rare
Ardea modesta

Ardea modesta

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea modesta

Insufficient data
White-necked Heron
LC

White-necked Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea pacifica

<5% · Rare
Australian Pelican
LC

Australian Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus conspicillatus

20–30% · Possible
Australian White Ibis

Australian White Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Threskiornis molucca

10–20% · With luck
Straw-necked Ibis
LC

Straw-necked Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Threskiornis spinicollis

10–20% · With luck
Glossy Ibis
LC

Glossy Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Plegadis falcinellus

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

30–40
Jan
30–40
Feb
30–40
Mar
30–40
Apr
40–50
May
40–50
Jun
40–50
Jul
30–40
Aug
30–40
Sep
30–40
Oct
50–60
Nov
30–40
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Ningaloo Marine Park 🇦🇺 Australia
40–50%
2 Noosa National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
10–20%
3 Daintree National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
10–20%
4 Abel Tasman National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
5–10%
5 Bali Barat National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
<5%
6 Booderee National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
7 Taroko National Park 🇹🇼 Taiwan
<5%
8 Royal National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
9 Fiordland National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
<5%
10 Khao Sok National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
Insufficient data
11 Rakiura National Park 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Insufficient data
12 Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Insufficient data
13 Kakadu National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
Insufficient data
14 Kinabalu Park 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Insufficient data
15 Kaeng Krachan National Park 🇹🇭 Thailand
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Pacific Reef Heron in Ningaloo Marine Park?

About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Pacific Reef Heron sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park, based on 173 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Pacific Reef Heron in Ningaloo Marine Park?

November has the highest sighting rate for Pacific Reef Heron in Ningaloo Marine Park in our monthly data.

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