A medium-sized heron of unusual appearance and extraordinarily cryptic plumage. Its long, robust neck is reddish chestnut with fine vertical white lines that make it resemble a reed. Its back is dark brown finely barred with black. Its belly is white or cream. In flight it shows a marked contrast between the dark back and the pale belly. Its eyes are large and yellow. It measures 66 to 76 cm. When it feels threatened it adopts a rigid posture with the bill pointing skyward, blending in with the marsh vegetation.
Behaviour
Solitary and mainly crepuscular and nocturnal in habit. It hunts from a motionless, lurking posture among the reeds and dense vegetation at the water's edge, waiting for fish, frogs, crabs and eels that pass nearby to seize them with a quick movement of the bill.
How and when to see it
Dawn and dusk in densely vegetated channels. Requires slow, silent navigation. Portals Laguna Iberá, Galarza and Carambola are the best sites.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where rufescent tiger heron has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where rufescent tiger heron lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiencias con relato local y mirada cultural sobre los esteros.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Travesías a caballo por una red de refugios en el Iberá. Cabalgatas de varios días con…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Senderismo guiado. Visita guiada a museos, lugares históricos, capillas y senderos del…★ 5.0 - Navegando Ituzaingó
Paseos privados en velero por el Paraná con el capitán Mario: salidas al amanecer, a la…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameRufescent Tiger Heron
- Scientific nameTigrisoma lineatum
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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