White-crested Tiger-Heron
Tigriornis leucolopha
A shy, stout heron that forages alone near water in dense lowland forest and mangroves. The tail is often hidden by the wings, giving these birds a very front-heavy appearance. The distinctive white crest is often hidden by the barred black-and-brown plumage covering most of the body. Call is a deep, far-carrying boom, as is typical of most large bitterns.
Identification
The white-crested tiger heron (Tigriornis leucolopha), also known as the white-crested bittern, is a species of heron in the monotypic genus Tigriornis and a member of the family Ardeidae. It is widely distributed across the African tropical rainforest, often occurring near small streams and marshes. This heron exhibits unobtrusive black, brown and buff coloration and possesses a white crest, which may be viewed when erected. Not much is known about this heron or its behaviors, although it is known to feed on the small fish, crustaceans, frogs, snakes and insects which inhabit rivers or river shores. Despite its elusiveness, it is found over a broad range and has been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as "Least Concern". Due to threats such as habitat destruction and poaching for use in medicine, its population has been decreasing over time.
Taxonomy
Genus: Tigriornis; Family: Ardeidae; Order: Pelecaniformes.
- Scientific name
- Tigriornis leucolopha
- Authority
- (Jardine, 1846)
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Genus
- Tigriornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Sultan's Cuckoo-Dove
Macropygia doreya
A large, long-tailed brown dove with a pale brown head and underparts and darker rufous-brown upperparts. Male displays little or no barring on breast and a pale nape patch. Females show extensive barring on neck. Singles, pairs, or small groups inhabit varied habitats, including forests, edges, woodlands, and gardens from the coast to the mountains. Larger than Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove, with a paler underside and an unbarred tail. Gives a distinctive two-note call, rising on the final part: “puk-hooa.”
Chestnut-capped Brushfinch
Arremon brunneinucha
Fairly stocky, sparrowlike bird of highland forests. Occurs mainly in humid evergreen and pine-oak forest understory, often in brushy flower banks and shady canyons, where typically skulking and difficult to see well. Feeds on or near the ground, usually in pairs. White throat stands out against black cheeks and narrow black breast band (birds of Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, lack breast band); also note narrow tawny eyebrow and dark rusty cap. Collared Towhee is larger and brighter with big black collar and whitish eyebrow.
Delicate Prinia
Prinia lepida
Tiny, disproportionately long-tailed, active, and vocal. The upperparts are gray-brown with heavy dark streaking, the underparts are pale, and each tail feather shows both pale and dark tips. Generally found in rather moist habitats within arid zones, including field margins, riparian woodland, scrub, gardens, and wetlands; can be quite numerous. Very vocal, especially in spring. The song is a rattling series of dry chirps, subtly different from the slower-paced song of Graceful Prinia. Males often sing from obvious perches. Visually extremely similar to Graceful Prinia, but there is little overlap in range. In any areas of overlap, best separated by song, but Delicate is also slightly longer- and narrower-tailed and browner.
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