Heron Island is part of the Capricornia Cays Important Bird Area.
The island's forest and surrounding dunes provide habitat for thousands of nesting seabirds, including the wedge-tailed shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) and the south-western black noddy (Anous minutus minutus), during the breeding season between October and April.
Over 120,000 white-capped noddies nest on the island during this period.

All-year resident and breeding on Heron Island are:
Silver gull (Larus novaehollandiae forsteri)
Eastern reef egret (Egretta s. sacra)
Buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis mellori)
Bar-shouldered dove (Geopelia h. humeralis)
Sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus s. sanctus)
Black-faced cuckooshrike (Coracina n. novaehollandiae)
Capricorn silvereye (Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus)
Though other herons may occasionally visit the island, the only member of the Ardeidae which is a breeding resident is the eastern reef egret.
And even though the terms "heron" and "egret" are not scientific, the former is generally used to denote the large Ardea whereas the smaller Egretta species are usually called "egrets".
Insofar, the only "true" heron that could ever be found on Heron Island is the white-necked heron (Ardea pacifica), which is only seen every now and then as a rare vagrant.

Since 2003, a pair of white-bellied sea eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) have nested on Heron Island.
However, in June 2019 the tree their nest sat in fell down killing the female.
As of October 2019 the male has been seen with another adult but no nest has been built.

At least one species of rat, probably the widespread polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), is found on the island.
Though even these small rats are known to harm island birds, this is insignificant on islands so close to a continent; while the rats probably feed on eggs and nestlings, they do not threaten the breeding bird populations as a whole.

Heron Island is also a major nesting site for green (Chelonia mydas) and Indopacific loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta gigas).
Around 98% of all turtles that nest on the island are green turtles, and only 2% of them will be loggerheads.
The Indopacific hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata bissa) has been seen on the reef but does not breed on the island.
Other marine life includes the inhabitants of the coral reef, and around early October, cetaceans (e.g. humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae) pass Heron Island on their migration to their summer quarters in subantarctic waters.

As of June 2020, a project called "The Turtle Cooling Project" is being undertaken by scientists from the World Wildlife Fund Australia, University of Queensland, Deakin University and the Queensland Government.
It is looking at the effect of global warming on northern green turtle breeding, in particular the effect of producing more male turtles owing to the higher temperatures.
They are working in the area around Raine Island, Heron Island and Moulter Cay.

A notable and much-studied invertebrate of Heron Island is Cerithium moniliferum, a small marine snail.
These animals will form large groups as the tide recedes.
Feeding on beach rock at a specific height over the average low tide level, the snails slowly move about in their clusters, preserving the precious moisture that allows them to breathe overwater.

Mosquitos and other biting insects are rare on the island.
However, diseases such as avian malaria and avian pox, which are carried by biting mosquitoes have been found in low numbers in the island's silvereyes.
Heron Island is part of the Capricornia Cays Important Bird Area. The island's forest and surrounding dunes provide habitat for thousands of nesting seabirds, including the wedge-tailed shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) and the south-western black noddy (Anous minutus minutus), during the breeding season between October and April. Over 120,000 white-capped noddies nest on the island during this period.
All-year resident and breeding on Heron Island are:
Silver gull (Larus novaehollandiae forsteri)
Eastern reef egret (Egretta s. sacra)
Buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis mellori)
Bar-shouldered dove (Geopelia h. humeralis)
Sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus s. sanctus)
Black-faced cuckooshrike (Coracina n. novaehollandiae)
Capricorn silvereye (Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus)
Though other herons may occasionally visit the island, the only member of the Ardeidae which is a breeding resident is the eastern reef egret. And even though the terms "heron" and "egret" are not scientific, the former is generally used to denote the large Ardea whereas the smaller Egretta species are usually called "egrets". Insofar, the only "true" heron that could ever be found on Heron Island is the white-necked heron (Ardea pacifica), which is only seen every now and then as a rare vagrant.
Since 2003, a pair of white-bellied sea eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) have nested on Heron Island. However, in June 2019 the tree their nest sat in fell down killing the female. As of October 2019 the male has been seen with another adult but no nest has been built.
At least one species of rat, probably the widespread polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), is found on the island. Though even these small rats are known to harm island birds, this is insignificant on islands so close to a continent; while the rats probably feed on eggs and nestlings, they do not threaten the breeding bird populations as a whole.
Heron Island is also a major nesting site for green (Chelonia mydas) and Indopacific loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta gigas). Around 98% of all turtles that nest on the island are green turtles, and only 2% of them will be loggerheads. The Indopacific hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata bissa) has been seen on the reef but does not breed on the island. Other marine life includes the inhabitants of the coral reef, and around early October, cetaceans (e.g. humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae) pass Heron Island on their migration to their summer quarters in subantarctic waters.
As of June 2020, a project called "The Turtle Cooling Project" is being undertaken by scientists from the World Wildlife Fund Australia, University of Queensland, Deakin University and the Queensland Government. It is looking at the effect of global warming on northern green turtle breeding, in particular the effect of producing more male turtles owing to the higher temperatures. They are working in the area around Raine Island, Heron Island and Moulter Cay.
A notable and much-studied invertebrate of Heron Island is Cerithium moniliferum, a small marine snail. These animals will form large groups as the tide recedes. Feeding on beach rock at a specific height over the average low tide level, the snails slowly move about in their clusters, preserving the precious moisture that allows them to breathe overwater.
Mosquitos and other biting insects are rare on the island. However, diseases such as avian malaria and avian pox, which are carried by biting mosquitoes have been found in low numbers in the island's silvereyes.
Heron Island (Queensland)