Lava heron
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Lava heron ( Butorides sundevalli ) |
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| Butorides sundevalli | ||||||||||||
| ( Reichenow , 1877) |
The lava heron ( Butorides sundevalli or - as a subspecies of the mangrove heron, Butorides striata sundevalli ), also known as the Galapagos heron , is a species of bird from the heron family . Its range is limited to the Galapagos Islands . The systematic classification of the lava heron is controversial. In the standard work " The Herons " it is classified as a subspecies of the mangrove heron. There are undeniably some morphological differences to the subspecies found in South America. However, genetic studies do not show a sufficient difference to give this heron an independent species status.
description
The lava heron is a small heron that reaches a body length of 35 centimeters and a wingspan of 63 centimeters. The weight is between 193 and 235 grams. The average weight is 214 grams. The beak grows up to 6.35 inches long and is gray.
The lava heron is considered a dimorphic (sub) species. The majority of the herons found on the Galapagos are completely dark in color with a blue-gray head of feathers, which is a very unusual plumage color within the mangrove herons. Other herons found on the Galapagos have a gray plumage, as is characteristic of the subspecies of the mangrove heron found in South America. The longitudinal stripes in this lighter morph are gray-brown. When the lava heron feels threatened or afraid, it makes shrill sounds like “keyow” or “keuk”.
Way of life
The lava heron feeds on small fish, crabs, lizards, insects, and decapods. There are also some small birds.
supporting documents
Single receipts
literature
- David Horwell, Pete Oxford: Galápagos Wildlife . Bradt Publishing, New York 2005, ISBN 978-1-84162-100-5 , p. 72 ( restricted online version (Google Books) )
- Michael H. Jackson: Galapagos, a Natural History . University of Calgary Press 1993, ISBN 978-1-895176-07-0 , p. 167 ( restricted online version (Google Books) )
- James A. Kushlan & James A. Hancock: Herons . Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-19-854981-4
Web links
- Butorides striata onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved April 25, 2009 ..