• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Lava Heron - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 02:21, 30 January 2008 by BigRedBirder (talk | contribs)
Butorides sundevalli
Photo by GordonH
Locality: the Galapagos.

aka Lava Heron. 

Identification

L. 35 cm (14in)

  • Overall blackish-grey
  • Black bill
  • Yellow eyes
  • Yellowish legs
    • Brighter when breeding

Juvenile

  • Brownish
  • Whitish-buff streaking to head, neck and underparts
  • Spotting on wings

Similar Species

Juveniles are essentially identical to juvenile Striated Heron.

Distribution

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, where fairly common.

Taxonomy

Often considered a subspecies of the Striated Heron.

Habitat

Mainly in coastal areas.

Behaviour

Diet

Feeds on fishes, crabs and other small animals found near the shore. Breeding is year-round, whenever conditions are suitable.

Breeding

The nest is built low in bushes (mainly mangrove) or under rocks.

External Links

Back
Top