This is my first sighting of a Little Heron. Exciting! At first I thought it was a Nankeen Night Heron, but the folks at eBird sent me a note correcting my entry.

I’m in Brisbane for a few days. This morning early, I went for a walk along the river bank. This gorgeous Little Heron was perched on the opening of a pipe in the river bank, poised to leap off and grab a fish or other unwary river dweller:

This short video shows the bird’s environment: the river and its bank, and the runners pounding past on the riverside path above:

Here’s another view of the bird. I love the long dark plumes on the back of its head:

Common name: Little Heron
Scientific name: Butorides atricapilla
Approximate length: 44 cm
Date spotted: 27 June 2025 (winter)
Location: Brisbane River, New Farm, Brisbane, Australia: 27°27’55.3″S 153°03’09.6″E