Capped Heron, Uraba, Colombia

Found in an agricultural area when driving back from our morning hike. A very elegant and beautiful bird that seems to know its beautiful. This bird has a giant range yet is very thinly spread, appearing in low numbers in Colombia.

Despite its range and explicit looks, it is little studied. Closeup:

Hunting behavior:

Big feet:

comments (9)

Christine Young

Lion

Wow! That's a beautiful bird. I love the blue skin. Were the wing feathers grayish? Just wondering if it could be a juvenile? Posted 7 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  That's a good question, and I'm confused in trying to answer it. Wikipedia describes their main feathers as white, not grey. My birds book shows it as light grey. In general image search, about 3 out of 4 shows the grey similar to this photo.
  
  I'd say its unlikely those are all juveniles. Based on Wikipedia' description of an adults size, I'd guess this was an adult. But really not that sure, sorry.
  
  No difference between sexes btw. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    That’s why I was wondering. I noticed most in an image search also that most appeared light gray, and thought how unlikely it would be to all be juveniles. But, I’m completely intrigued by your point about the sexes being monomorphic. Even juveniles, it seems, are similar in appearance to adults. Very fascinating, and it makes me wonder why they are not sexually dimorphic, although I’m sure other bird species also share this peculiarity. I wonder if sexual selection is less powerful in some species. Also, if they are monomorphic, then what else may be different between the sexes...For example, behaviors like singing. Would it still be a male-dominated activity? Are monomorphic birds more likely to be monogamous or polygamous? How does it affect sexual competition? Are monomorphic species more likely to be solitary or communal? Hmm, so interesting. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Another angle not yet explored could be different races or perhaps the need for the species to be split given its giant range.
      
      You raise some interesting questions, I'm not sure what the biggest factors are in the sexes diverging from each other in appearance. The only theory I have is that this bird is thinly spread, so maybe there is a low availability of mates, less competition, and no "need" to develop a winning appearance.
      
      Wikipedia mentions that this birds reproduction and nesting behavior isn't really known, so that adds to the mystery. Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Very fascinating for sure! Posted 7 years ago
      2. Thibaud Aronson
        
        Lion
        
        Ooof that's a nice one, and a species I have yet to see!
        As for monomorphism, it is the rule for most herons and many other large birds. It often arises in species where both pair members work together to raise chicks, which leads to mutual mate choice (I did my Master's studying one such species, the zebra finch). Here is a nice little piece that talks about some of the issues involved, with suggested further reading.
        https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/sexual-selection-13255240 Posted 7 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks, Thibaud! Posted 7 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Interesting! Thanks so much for the info Thibaud! Posted 7 years ago
        
        Thibaud Aronson
        
        Lion
        
        Sure thing :)
        Posted 7 years ago

The Capped Heron

The Capped Heron is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family. It is in the monotypic genus "Pilherodius". It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are rivers, swamps, and freshwater lakes.

Info 12 0

Similar species: Pelicans, Herons, Ibises

Species identified by Ferdy Christant