Ardea sumatrana or the great-billed heron is a large, wading bird of the heron family standing up to 1.15 m tall and weighing up to 2.6 kg. This species has a very large range and is found in coastal areas of southern Asia and Australasia which includes Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The general habitats of this species are coastal areas such as islands, coral reefs, mangroves and large rivers. Patiently stalking its prey in shallow water, the great-billed heron will spear its victim using its long, sharp bill. Although it is similar in appearance with the purple heron (Ardea purpurea), the great-billed heron is larger and has darker plumage.