Photo 1 of 6
(c) David McCorquodale, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Photo 2 of 6
(c) Geoff Whalan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND)
Photo 3 of 6
(c) pdubbin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Photo 4 of 6
(c) Geoff Whalan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND)
Photo 5 of 6
(c) Len Dean, all rights reserved
Photo 6 of 6
(c) David McCorquodale, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

1 of 6 photos

Nankeen Night Heron

Nycticorax caledonicus

Worldwide: 7,850 observations
Group: Birds

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

Summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Recent sightings near Cairns

Research-grade observations within 25 km, newest first.

Oct 30, 2026Cairns QLD, AustraliaObserver: StuartView observation from Oct 30, 2026 on iNaturalist
Oct 28, 2026Cairns City, QLD, AUObserver: wintersparrowView observation from Oct 28, 2026 on iNaturalist
Oct 28, 2026Cairns QLD, AustraliaObserver: Elliot ConnorView observation from Oct 28, 2026 on iNaturalist
Oct 25, 2026Cairns QLD, AustraliaObserver: StuartView observation from Oct 25, 2026 on iNaturalist
Oct 24, 2026Smithfield, QLD, AUObserver: scottjmorrisseyView observation from Oct 24, 2026 on iNaturalist
Oct 22, 2026Cairns City QLD, AustraliaObserver: Matt BoyleView observation from Oct 22, 2026 on iNaturalist