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
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
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
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
Photo: © David Ascanio eBird S99353334 Macaulay Library ML 399310861
Capped Heron
Pilherodius pileatus
Spanish Name: Garza Crestada
Size: 21 in | 53 cm
Habitat: Pools, pasture,forested riverbanks.
Height: <500 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
Spanish Name: Garza Rojiza
Size: 30 in | 76 cm
Habitat: Coastal wetlands.
Height: <50 m
Photo: © Fyn Kynd eBird S63077570 Macaulay Library ML 518767771
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Spanish Name: Garza Tricolor
Size: 26 in | 66 cm
Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries, marshes.
Height: <1000 m
Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Spanish Name: Garza Azul
Size: 24 in | 51 cm
Habitat: Freshwater areas, mangroves, estuaries.
Height: <3200 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Spanish Name: Garza Patiamarilla
Size: 24 in | 61 cm
Habitat: Freshwater areas, mangroves, estuaries.
Height: <3000 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon