The White-necked Heron, Ardea pacifica also known as the Pacific Heron is found throughout New Guinea and Australia, except for the most arid regions, and is a vagrant to New Zealand.

It is a large, robust looking heron, with dark slaty wings and body, and white head and neck. Its habitat mainly comprises freshwater wetlands and wet grasslands. It feeds on small terrestrial and aquatic animals. It nests in dead or living trees associated with freshwater wetlands.

Widespread throughout its large range, the White-necked Heron is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.