Herons

Order: PELECANIFORMES - Family: ARDEIDAE

64 Species currently existing - 22 in region

Herons are long-legged, long-necked wading birds belonging to the family Ardeidae. These elegant and often majestic birds are widely distributed around the world and are known for their distinctive characteristics and behaviors. Here are some key points about herons:

Habitat: Herons can be found in a variety of freshwater and coastal habitats, including wetlands, marshes, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. They are skilled hunters and are commonly seen wading in shallow water, patiently stalking prey such as fish, frogs, insects, and small mammals.

Physical Characteristics: Herons are characterized by their long legs, necks, and bills. They have broad wings and fly with slow, graceful wing beats. Their plumage can vary widely among species, from stark white to mottled gray, blue, or chestnut colors.

Feeding Behavior: Herons are expert fishermen and use their sharp bills to spear or grab fish and other aquatic prey. They may stand motionless for long periods, waiting for the right moment to strike. Some heron species are known for using bait, such as insects or bread, to attract fish.

Breeding: Herons often nest in colonies, known as heronries or rookeries, typically located in trees near water. They build large stick nests and lay a small clutch of eggs. Both parents share the responsibilities of incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.

Conservation: Several heron species are facing threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and disturbance of nesting sites. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, managing human activities near nesting sites, and raising awareness about the importance of herons in ecosystems. Herons are important components of wetland ecosystems, playing a key role in controlling fish populations and maintaining the health of aquatic environments.

Rufescent Tiger-heron

Tigrisoma lineatum
Spanish Name: Vado Colorado

Size: 28 in | 70 cm
Habitat: Freshwater marshes
Height: <800 m

Photo: © Dominic Garcia-Hall eBird S20298594 Macaulay Library ML 34856121

Fasciated Tiger-heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum
Spanish Name: Vado Cabecinegro

Size: 26 in | 66 cm
Habitat: Humid foothills
Height: 300 - 2200m

Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S98084529 Macaulay Library ML 397061721

Bare-throated Tiger-heron, Tigrisoma mexicanum, Vado Mejicano

Bared-throated Tiger-heron

Tigrisoma mexicanum
Spanish Name: Vado Mejicano

Size: 32 in | 81 cm
Habitat: Marshes, mangroves, wetlands.
Height: <200 m

Photo: © Matthew Bell eBird S29998864 Macaulay Library ML 35701441

Agami Heron

Agami agami
Spanish Name: Garza agami

Size: 28 in | 71 cm
Habitat: Forest streams.
Height: <500 m

Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius
Spanish Name: Garza cucharón

Size: 20 in | 51 cm
Habitat: Forested streams and rivers.
Height: <800 m

Photo: © Luke Seitz eBird S35362374 Macaulay Library ML 52472851

Zigzag Heron

Zebrilus undulatus
Spanish Name: Garza Zigzag

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: Swampy areas with heavy vegetation.
Height: <400 m

Photo: © Richard Greenhalgh eBird S66135700 Macaulay Library ML 217537641

Pinnated Bittern

Botaurus pinnatus
Spanish Name: Avetoro

Size: 28 in | 71 cm
Habitat: Rice fields, flooded areas.
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Danilo Moreno eBird S68953815 Macaulay Library ML 234049861

Stripe-backed Bittern

Ixobrychus involucris
Spanish Name: Avetorillo Estriado

Size: 13 in | 33 cm
Habitat: Marshes, rice fields.
Height: <400 m

Photo: © Francisco González Táboas eBird S46686748 Macaulay Library ML 105044941

Least Bittern

Ixobrychus exilis
Spanish Name: Avetorillo Bicolor

Size: 12 in | 30 cm
Habitat: Freshwater marshes with vegetation.
Height: <3100 m

Photo: © Myles McNally eBird S46848868 Macaulay Library ML 105828501

Black-crowned Night-heron

Nyctocorax nyctocorax
Spanish Name: Guaco Común

Size: 25 in | 64 cm
Habitat: Marshes, mangroves, wetlands.
Height: <3200 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Yellow-crowned Night-heron

Nyctanassa violacea
Spanish Name: Guaco Manglero

Size: 26 in | 66 cm
Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries
Height: < 500m

Photo: © Evan Lipton eBird S38322438 Macaulay Library ML 64329491

Green-backed Heron

Butoroides striata
Spanish Name: Garcita Rayada

Size: 18 in | 46 cm
Habitat: Freshwater areas with tall vegetation.
Height: <3000 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis
Spanish Name: Garcita Bueyera

Size: in | 0 cm
Habitat: Rice fields, ranches, pastures.
Height: <3500 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias
Spanish Name: Garzón Azulado

Size: 46 in | 117 cm
Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries, wetlands.
Height: <2600 m

Photo: © Luis A. Materon

Cocoi Heron

Ardea cocoi
Spanish Name: Garzón Azul

Size: 48 in | 122 cm
Habitat: Estuaries, mangroves, marshes.
Height: <1500 m

Photo: © Brian Sullivan eBird S4076172 Macaulay Library ML 128068191

Great White Egret (Great Egret)

Ardea alba
Spanish Name: Garza Real

Size: 39 in | 100 cm
Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries, freshwater areas.
Height: <2700 m

Whistling Heron

Syrigma siibilatrix
Spanish Name: Garza Sibadora

Size: 22 in | 56 cm
Habitat: Dry land heron not found in water areas. Sometimes in wetlands.
Height: < 500m

Capped Heron

Pilherodius pileatus
Spanish Name: Garza Crestada

Size: 21 in | 53 cm
Habitat: Pools, pasture,forested riverbanks.
Height: <500 m

Reddish Egret

Egretta rufescens
Spanish Name: Garza Rojiza

Size: 30 in | 76 cm
Habitat: Coastal wetlands.
Height: <50 m

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor
Spanish Name: Garza Tricolor

Size: 26 in | 66 cm
Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries, marshes.
Height: <1000 m

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea
Spanish Name: Garza Azul

Size: 24 in | 51 cm
Habitat: Freshwater areas, mangroves, estuaries.
Height: <3200 m

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula
Spanish Name: Garza Patiamarilla

Size: 24 in | 61 cm
Habitat: Freshwater areas, mangroves, estuaries.
Height: <3000 m