Rufescent Tiger Heron

Copyright: monacoeye • Pantanal, 28 April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rufescent Tiger Heron
Latin: Tigrisoma lineatum
Other: Avetigre colorada (Es), Hocó colorado • Socó-boi (Br)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Mexico to Uruguay
Similar: Fasciated Tiger Heron juvenile

Adult Rufescent Tiger Herons have wonderful finely barred greyish wings and rufous head and neck with white stripes down neck, yellow lores and yellow or orange irises. They are not too shy so relatively easy to observe.

Juvenile Rufescent Tiger Herons are really stunning, with coarse barring - like a tiger. Pictured above, one which has caught an insect.

In the Pantanal in August, Rufescent Tiger Herons are abundant by the drying bodies of water, and frequently seen in ditches, on river banks and near ponds and lakes.

Below: An Adult Rufescent Tiger Heron on a mound, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011



Below: These nesting Rufescent Tiger Herons were seen at the Gamboa Ammo Ponds, in the canal zone of central Panama, with several more hunting in the pond and Chagres River. April 2010.

Below: Presumed Subadult Rufescent Tiger Heron with barring to neck, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Rufescent Tiger Heron stretching neck, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Beautiful Rufescent Tiger Herons often found beside rivers in the Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Close-up of Juvenile Rufescent Tiger Herons, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Rufescent Tiger Herons often seen on night walks in the Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Rufescent Tiger Heron showing neck stripes, orange iris, Pantanal, Brazil, Aug 2011


Below: Rufescent Tiger Heron on approach to Curicaca Lodge, with my hire car behind, Pantanal, Aug 2011


Below, Juvenile Rufescent Tiger Heron peeking head out of water lilies • Gamboa, Apr 2010.