# Nankeen Night Heron

*Nycticorax caledonicus*

They are named after 'nankeen', a type of buff-colored cotton cloth historically produced in Nanjing, China, which matches their rich cinnamon-brown plumage.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Pelecaniformes › Ardeidae › Nycticorax
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** wetland
- **Habitat:** Freshwater wetlands, rivers, tidal flats, swamps, and estuaries.
- **Diet:** Fish, frogs, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally small reptiles.
- **Range:** Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia
- **Size:** 55-65 cm tall, wingspan of 95-110 cm, weight approximately 800 grams.
- **Lifespan:** 10-15 years
- **Active:** nocturnal
- **Threats:** Wetland drainage, habitat destruction, water pollution, and predation by feral animals.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless to humans. Maintain a respectful distance of at least 15 meters to prevent disturbing its nocturnal hunting. If cornered, it may vocalize or attempt to peck defensively; in the highly unlikely event of a scratch or peck, clean the wound thoroughly and seek medical advice.

## About

The nankeen night heron ( Nycticorax caledonicus ) also commonly referred to as the rufous night heron , and in Melanesia as Melabaob , is a medium-sized heron. It is found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, and throughout much of Australia except the arid inland. A small colony has also established near Wanganui, New Zealand

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/1e4c568a-e825-4900-9abe-90f5a9f9cf83
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4988
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nycticorax caledonicus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/709429897/medium.jpg (no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.