Capped Heron Pilherodius pileatus

Brazilian name: garça-real

Capped Heron,Pantanal, Mato Grosso Brazil, December 2006 - click on image for a larger view Mato Grosso, Brazil

The Capped Heron is found in tropical South America mainly in the Orinoco and Amazon Basins. There is a distribution map at xeno-canto.

Its most distinctive features are its cobalt blue bill and black cap. It has powder grey wings and creamy buff on the neck and breast during the breeding season.

Capped Heron,Cristalino, Mato Grosso Brazil, December 2006 - click on image for a larger view It feeds on fish, insects and frogs which it captures using the techniques known as "Walking Slowly" or "Standing Still".

There are illustrations in Hilty & Brown, Plate 2 and in HBW, Volume 1, Pages 380 and 404.
Capped Heron,Cristalino, Mato Grosso Brazil, December 2006 - click on image for a larger view
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