Heron at Playford Lake

The White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) also known as the White-fronted Heron, and incorrectly as the Grey Heron, or Blue Crane, is a common bird throughout most of Australasia, including New Guinea, the islands of Torres Strait, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the islands of the Sub-Antarctic.

It is primarily a Southern Hemisphere heron but has been sighted in China as a visitor. Different versions of the heron are found around the world.

Closer.

Ours is a relatively small heron, pale, slightly bluish-grey, with yellow legs and white facial markings. It can be found almost anywhere near shallow water, fresh or salt, and will even raid fish in suburban fish ponds.