The Pied Heron, Ardea picata, is found in coastal and subcoastal areas of monsoonal northern Australia as well as some parts of Wallacea and New Guinea.

It is a small heron, with dark slaty wings, body and crested head, with a white throat and neck. Immature birds lack the crest as well as the dark colouring on the head and may look like small versions of the White-necked Heron. Its habitat mainly comprises a range of wetlands and wet grasslands. It feeds on insects and other small aquatic animals. It nests in trees, including mangroves, often colonially with other species of heron.