Bare-throated Tiger Heron

Overview

The bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) is a wading bird in the family Ardeidae, ranging from Mexico to northwestern Colombia. This large species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Adults feature a bare throat that is greenish-yellow to orange, a black crown, and light grey sides of the head.
• Upperparts are blackish with narrow buff bars, while underparts are dull cinnamon brown with a white-bordered black median stripe down the fore-neck.
• Juveniles are buff and coarsely barred with black, appearing mottled on the wings with whitish throats and bellies.
• The call consists of a hoarse 'howk-howk-howk', while males produce a booming 'hrrrowwr!' at sunset with visible throat undulations.

Habitat

This species occupies more open habitats than other Tigrisoma herons, preferring river and lake banks. Its range extends from Mexico down to northwestern Colombia, with a single recorded sighting in Hidalgo County, Texas.

Diet

The bird forages by waiting motionless for prey such as fish, frogs, or crabs to approach its long bill. It is a solitary breeder that constructs a small flattish stick platform in a tree, laying two to three green-tinged white eggs.

Did you know?

When emitting its male call, the beak opens wide and visible undulations can be seen along the course of the throat from the mid-thorax caudally.