Striated Heron

Adults have a dark grey-green cap, greyish-blue upperparts, whitish-grey underparts, and a chestnut-brown neck. Juveniles are browner with heavy streaking on the neck and underparts and buff spots on the wings.

Small size for a heron, dark cap, greyish body, short greenish-yellow legs, and a dark dagger-like bill.

Length: 35-45 cm (14-18 in), Wingspan: 55-60 cm (22-24 in), Weight: 130-250 g.

A sudden, sharp, explosive 'skeow' or 'kyow' call, especially when flushed or alarmed.

Primarily fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. Known to use tools such as bread crumbs or insects as bait to lure fish within striking distance.

Mangrove swamps, estuaries, riverbanks, marshes, tidal flats, and occasionally rocky coastlines.

Mostly sedentary and resident, though northern populations in Asia and parts of the Americas may undertake seasonal movements.

Builds a fragile platform nest of sticks in mangroves, bushes, or trees near water. Clutch size is usually 2 to 5 pale greenish-blue eggs.

Green Heron (Butorides virescens), which is very closely related and sometimes considered the same species (the Green-backed Heron complex), distinguished mainly by geographic range and slightly greener back tones.

Acts as an important predator in wetland and coastal ecosystems, helping to regulate populations of small fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates.

Least Concern, with a stable global population trend.

Look for them standing completely still in mangrove swamps, along muddy riverbanks, or near coastal rocks. Move slowly and quietly to avoid startling them.

Striated Herons are one of the few bird species known to use tools, dropping bait on the water surface to attract fish.