The White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) is February’s bird of the month.

This waterbird is common across most of Australia and is a familiar sight in wetlands and along coastal rock platforms. However, their adaptable habitat preferences often lead them into parks, backyards and other suburban areas where they hunt virtually anything small that moves, including insects, fish, reptiles and frogs.

Interestingly, in the Illawarra I frequently observe these herons perching in small groups of one to three birds on suburban roofs and other buildings – perhaps an unusual place to look out for them.

Although generally shy like many waterbirds, if you don’t approach too closely they sometimes wander right past you while busily foraging. I encountered this bird on the expansive rock platforms of Sandon Point in Bulli, where it kept a watchful eye on me as it fed along the shoreline.