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LEAST BITTERN  Ixobrychus exilis 28–31cm. Tiny heron of fresh and brackish

marshes with tall reeds and rushes, lakes with bordering reeds. Stealthy and

retiring; mainly hunts from perch over water, clambering easily through reeds.

Flushes from close range and usually flies a short distance before dropping back

to cover; wingbeats fairly quick. Distinctive (note big buff wing panel in flight);

cf. larger, overall dark Green Heron. At height of breeding, male lores flush

scarlet, legs bright orange. SOUNDS: Common call a short series of (usually 5–9)

rasping barks kyeh-kyeh..., slowing slightly at end, given irregularly. In breeding

season, ‘song’ a fairly rapid series of about 3–10 muffled coos, cuh-cuh-cuh-cuh-

cuh, often repeated steadily and can be given at night; may suggest Black-billed Cuckoo song but lower,

huskier. STATUS: Uncommon and local breeder in nw. lowlands, likely elsewhere; more widespread Sep–

Apr when n. migrants present, rarely to 1500m. (Americas.)

PINNATED BITTERN  Botaurus pinnatus 64–76cm. Freshwater marshes with

tall grassy vegetation, reedbeds, flooded rice fields. Mostly skulking; tends to

crouch or freeze when alarmed, but at times flushes from close range; flight

heavy, with wingbeats mainly above body plane, reminiscent of a tiger heron.

Pale buffy plumage with finely barred neck sides and coarsely streaked

upperparts distinctive; white tufts at chest sides usually concealed but flared in

display. Cf. imm. tiger herons. SOUNDS: Flushed birds give gruff owhk, singly or

in short series. ‘Song’ a very low-pitched, deep booming or gulping uungh,

often preceded by a few liquid clucks and at times repeated steadily; quality

recalls American Bittern. STATUS: Scarce to fairly common locally on both slopes, mainly in nw. lowlands,

to 600m. (Mexico to S America.).

GREEN HERON  Butorides virescens 38–43cm. Small dark heron of varied

wetland habitats from mangroves and rocky coasts to small roadside ponds,

extensive wetlands, lakeshores, often with wooded edges. Usually singles, often

apart from other herons. Hunts by waiting or slow stalking, often hunched on

low branch or other perch over water. Note small size, overall dark plumage

with dark rusty neck sides, bright yellow legs. Juv. has streaked neck, much like

adult by end of 1st year. At height of breeding, adult lores become black, legs

flush bright salmon-orange. SOUNDS: Flight call a clipped, slightly explosive yap

kyah! or kyowh, often in short series when flushed; hollow, low clucking series

when agitated, kuh-kuh-kuh.…In breeding season, ‘song’ is a low, frog-like growl, reeohr, repeated.

STATUS: Fairly common but low-density on both slopes, locally to 1800m; more widespread and numerous

Sep–Apr when n. migrants present, especially on Caribbean slope and inland. (N America to Panama.)

STRIATED HERON  Butorides striata 38–43cm. Rare but increasing visitor, the southern counterpart

to Green Heron. Typical adult differs from Green Heron in gray (rarely brownish) neck sides, slightly

paler plumage with contrasting black whisker mark. Juv. perhaps not safely separable from Green Heron.

Habits and voice like Green Heron. STATUS: Very rare but increasing (records year-round), mainly on

Pacific slope and in nw. lowlands since 2000s; could occur anywhere. (Panama to S America, Old World.)

AGAMI HERON  Agamia agami 66–76cm. Rarely seen, very long-billed heron

of shady forested wetlands, mangroves, quiet forest streams and ponds. Usually

solitary, quiet, and stealthy; often rather shy and usually apart from other herons.

Easily overlooked, as dark plumage blends well with shady habitats, but breeds

locally in colonies. Note very long slender bill, rather short dull legs, habits.

Adult stunning, with silvery blue-gray filigree neck plumes, chestnut neck and

belly, deep oily-green upperparts; attains plush silvery-gray crest in breeding

season, when lores and throat flush bright red. 1st-year distinctive, with very long

bill, brown face, neck and upperparts, pale belly. SOUNDS: Territorial call a low,

throaty, purring growl, about 1–2 secs, repeated every few secs. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce on Caribbean

slope, locally on s. Pacific slope; to 700m. (Mexico to S America.)