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Agami Heron
The Agami Heron (Agamia agami), is a resident breeding bird from Central America south to Peru and Brazil. The Agami Heron's habitat is forest swamps and similar wooded wetlands. It is sometimes known as the Chestnut-bellied Heron, and is the only member of the genus Agamia.
This uncommon and localized species is 26 to 30 inches in length. It is short-legged for a heron, but has a very long thin bill. This is a beautiful and unmistakable bird. The neck and underparts are chestnut, with a white line down the center of the foreneck, and the wings are green. There are wispy pale blue feathers decorating the head, sides of the foreneck and lower back. The legs, bill and bare facial patch are dull yellow. The sexes are similar, but immature Agami Herons are largely brown above, with a white foreneck and streaked brown and white underparts.
The Agami Heron is a quiet bird, but pairs and family groups may make various snoring or rattling sounds. They nest in colonies on platforms of sticks in trees over water which may gather more than 100 nests. The normal clutch is two blue eggs.
Despite its stunning plumage, this reclusive species' preference for shade and overhanging vegetation means that it is rarely seen at its best. Agami Herons stalk their fish prey in shaded shallow water, often standing still or moving very slowly. They rarely wade in open water. They also take frogs, lizards, and snails.
Photo By Leonardo C. Fleck


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