[order] CICONIIFORMES | [family] Ardeidae | [latin] Pilherodius pileatus | [authority] Boddaert, 1783 | [UK] Capped Heron | [FR] Bihoreau blanc | [DE] Kappenreiher | [ES] Garza Capirotada | [NL] Kapreiger
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
The genus Pilherodius contains but a single species (Capped heron), which has usually been placed amongst the Night-Herons but has been treated as a day-heron in earlier days. Based on some morphological aspects (e.g. skull size) and DNA eidence is it know consistently placed in its own genus.
Physical charateristics
The Capped Heron is characterized by its long legs and necks and straight pointed bill. Plumage is white to yellowish-white or cream, except for distinctive black crown. Long white feathers at nape of neck. Bright blue surrounding eyes and base of bill. Bare lores and facial skin blue, bill greyish-blue.
Listen to the sound of Capped Heron
[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/CICONIIFORMES/Ardeidae/sounds/Capped Heron.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 56 | cm | size max.: | 61 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 24 | days | incubation max.: | 26 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 26 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 2 | ||
| eggs max.: | 4 |
Range
Latin America : East Panama to Southeast Brazil
Habitat
Swampy forest areas, ponds and streams, sometimes wet savanna.
Reproduction
Very little known, nest is a platform of sticks placed low in bushes and trees and 2-4 eggs are laid (captivity).
Feeding habits
During feeding Capped Herons crouch for long periods and walk slowly through mostoften water, feeding on fish and other aquatic animals near muddy banks or in shallow flooded areas. preying fish and invertebrates. They forage primarily alone or in pairs.
Video Capped Heron
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgNCsMc39Nc
copyright: K. Blomerley
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
This Heron has not yet been studies extensively. Little is known about breeding behavior or migration. In Surniam not uncommon in coffe plantations and in the forest, f.e. Voltzberg. The specis is rather shy and solitary, there are no breeding records known is Suriname.
This Heron has not yet been studies extensively. Little is known about breeding behavior or migration. In Surniam not uncommon in coffe plantations and in the forest, f.e. Voltzberg. The specis is rather shy and solitary, there are no breeding records known is Suriname.
Migration
Probably sedentary throughout range
Distribution map
Literature
Title BEHAVIOR OF WHISTLING AND CAPPED HERONS IN THE SEASONAL SAVANNAS OF VENEZUELA AND ARGENTINA
Author(s): JAMES A. KUSHLAN, JAMES A. HANCOCK et al.
Abstract: Behavior, habitat use, and foraging of the Whistli..[more]..
Source: Condor 84:255-260