Neha Patil (Editor)

Lava heron

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Kingdom
  
Genus
  
Higher classification
  
Butorides

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Ardeidae

Scientific name
  
Butorides sundevalli

Rank
  
Species

Lava heron Lava Herons

Similar
  
Bird, Heron, Butorides, Lava gull, Galapagos hawk

Gal pagos hawk kills a lava heron


The lava heron (Butorides sundevalli), also known as the Galápagos heron, is a species of heron endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. It is considered by some authorities — including the American Ornithologists' Union and BirdLife International — to be a subspecies (or even just a colour morph) of the striated heron (B. striata), and was formerly "lumped" with this species and the green heron (B. virescens) as the green-backed heron.

Contents

Lava heron Lava Heron Galapagos Conservation Trust

Lava heron hunt galapagos islands


Description

Lava heron Sapayoa Ecuador Bird Photos Photo Keywords lava heron

The adult is slate-grey, which allows it to blend in with the hardened lava. The back feathers typically have a silvery sheen and it has a short crest on its head. When breeding, the heron has a black beak and bright orange legs, but these fade to grey after the breeding season.

Distribution and habitat

Lava heron Lava Heron Galapagos Conservation Trust

These highly territorial birds are found in intertidal zones and mangrove swamps on all of the islands of Galápagos Province.

Behavior

Lava heron Sapayoa Ecuador Bird Photos Photo Keywords lava heron

The lava heron stalks small crabs and fish slowly before quickly spearing and eating them. They have also been known to eat the flies that gather near cacti.

Lava heron httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Lava herons are typically seen hunched over and they have a sharp alarm call. These birds have little fear of humans.

Breeding

Lava heron FileLava Heron RWDjpg Wikimedia Commons

Unlike most herons, these birds nest in solitary pairs in either the lower branches of mangrove trees or under lava rocks. They can breed year-round, though typically from September to March, and can mate up to three times a year.

References

Lava heron Wikipedia


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