This uncommon species is 66–76 centimeters (26–30 inches) in length. It is short-legged for a heron and has a thin bill which is considerably longer than the head. The neck and underparts are chestnut, with a white line down the center of the foredeck, and the wings are shiny green. Wispy pale blue feathers decorate the crown, sides of the foredeck, and lower back. The legs, bill, and bare facial patch are dull yellow. During the breeding season, the facial patch can change color to reddish. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are largely brown above with a white foreneck and streaked brown-and-white underparts. The normal clutch size is two blue eggs.
Distribution and habitat
The agami heron is a Neotropical species occurring in Central and South America. The distribution area of the species extends from south-east Mexico through central and Caribbean Central America through the Amazon basin in South America, covering the following countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil.
This species is rare in open areas. The agami heron’s habitat encompasses swamp forests, mangroves, forest streams and freshwater wetlands. They mostly occur at elevations between sea level and 300 meters (1,000 feet), although records exist from as elevations as high as 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) in the Andes. They nest in both single-species and mixed-species colonies on platforms of sticks in bushes and trees over water. Very few colonies are known to date but some are quite large, up to hundreds or even over a thousand nests.[10] The following locations of colonies are known within the distribution area of the species:on a tiny island at the centre of a lagoon in the middle of the Pacuare Nature Reserve, Costa Rica, in the Tapiche Reserve, Peru, the Marais de Kaw-Roura National Reserve and Amazonian National Park, French Guiana, and other colonies outside of protected areas in Colombia, Mexico, and Belize.
Behavior
Despite its stunning plumage, this reclusive species’ preference for shade and overhanging vegetation means that it is rarely seen. This is a quiet bird, but pairs and family groups may make various snoring or rattling sounds. Rattling sounds and slow walking away are typical responses to disturbance.[12]
Agami herons stalk their prey (fish, frogs, small reptiles, and snails) in shallow shaded water in forested areas. They often stand still on perches or directly in the water, or moving very slowly.They rarely wade in open water. The majority of their prey consists of characins (Triportheus angulatus and Astyanax angulatus) which are surface-swimming fishes. Less commonly, they have also been known to consume cichlids (Aequidens).
Several courtship behaviors have been described and are used by both sexes. Lores can change color to an intense red, and both sexes show a short-lived silver crest.
