Zigzag Heron
A species of Zigzag Heron Scientific name : Zebrilus undulatus Genus : Zigzag Heron
Zigzag Heron, A species of Zigzag Heron
Botanical name: Zebrilus undulatus
Genus: Zigzag Heron
Content
Description
Photo By Steve McInnis 
Description
The zigzag heron (Zebrilus undulatus) is a species of heron in the family Ardeidae, also including egrets and bitterns. It is in the monotypic genus Zebrilus. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical swamps. The zigzag heron is a species of the entire Amazon Basin, east of the Andes cordillera, and the five bordering countries on the basin's western periphery, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. The range does not extend beyond the Orinoco River basin of Venezuela in the northwest, and in the east-northeast encompasses the Guianas; in the southeast Amazon Basin the range does not extend east of the Tapajós River drainage. They are reclusive birds, staying hidden in thick cover even while foraging. The adult plumage is gray with fine zigzag barring, with a pale underside, standing about 32 cm(12.6 in) in height. Juveniles have a dark back with a brown head and underside. Due to its appearance it was often assigned to the tiger herons (Tigrisoma and allies). But in fact, it is a true bittern, having like these only 10 rectrices (other Ardeidae have 12) and being unequivocally placed in the bittern lineage by DNA sequence data too. Short legs and necks and cryptic plumage may thus be plesiomorphic among Ardeidae in general. 
Size
33 cm
Feeding Habits
Zigzag Heron primarily consumes small fish and flying insects, employing opportunistic foraging methods. Feeding mainly occurs during the day, with tactics including standing, slow walking, and flycatching from overhanging branches or emergent tree roots. Zigzag Heron pecks at prey instead of stabbing and exhibits a unique tail flicking behavior while feeding.
Habitat
The zigzag Heron predominantly inhabits the tranquil waters and wetlands of tropical regions, including stream banks, slow-moving rivers, oxbow lakes, marshes, and swamps often found within dense evergreen forests. It is also known to reside in mangrove ecosystems, preferring lowland areas typically under 500 meters in altitude.
Dite type
Insectivorous
Photo By Steve McInnis 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Pelicans and Relatives Family
Herons Genus
Zigzag Heron Species
Zigzag Heron 
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