
Capped Heron - closeup, 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. Full body shot:

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.