Bare-throated Tiger Heron
A large but rather short-legged, primal-looking heron of mangroves and freshwater marshes in tropical lowlands. Often found in areas with trees, but also around ponds in open marsh areas. All plumages have naked yellow throat skin (not always easy to see) and greenish legs. Adult has grey cheeks, finely barred plumage, and rusty thighs; immature is boldy barred blackish and warm brown (hence the name ‘tiger-heron’). The Bare-throated Tiger-Heron occurs in coastal Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Photographer: Dave Saunders