Zebrilus undulatus
The Zigzag Heron (*Zebrilus undulatus*) is a small, cryptically plumaged wading bird, often considered one of the most enigmatic herons of the Neotropics. Measuring approximately 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) in length and weighing around 125-150g, its most distinctive feature is its finely barred, dark plumage, which gives rise to its common name and provides superb camouflage in dense vegetation. It possesses a short neck and legs, a dark bill, and striking yellow eyes, often with a narrow black ...
Primarily inhabits dense, low-lying freshwater wetlands, including flooded forests, swamps, oxbow lakes, and the margins of slow-moving rivers, typically below 500 meters elevation.
Feeds primarily on small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans, ambushing them from concealed positions in dense vegetation.
The Zigzag Heron is an exceptionally shy and solitary species, often active during crepuscular hours (dawn and dusk) or even nocturnally, though it can forage by day in shaded, dense cover. Its primary foraging strategy is the 'stand-and-wait' technique, where it remains motionless for extended p...
The Zigzag Heron is a resident species found across a broad but patchy distribution throughout the Amazon Basin and the Guianas in South America. Its breeding range encompasses eastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, ...
Least Concern
- The Zigzag Heron is the sole member of its genus, *Zebrilus*, making it a unique taxonomic outlier among herons. - Its intricate plumage provides such effective camouflage that it's often described as a 'leaf on stilts' or a 'feathered log'. - Despite its heron classification, it shares many be...