Rufescent Tiger-Heron

*Top 50 Target Species

The Rufescent Tiger-Heron is a solitary, cryptically plumaged heron found in Ecuador’s lowland forests and wetlands, where it stalks quietly along shaded riverbanks and oxbow lakes. Globally listed as Least Concern, it remains uncommon but widespread in the Amazon basin, with nesting records from sites like Sani Lodge along the Río Napo. This species is most active at dawn and dusk, feeding on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, and is known for its slow, deliberate movements and snake-like neck posture. Though elusive, it persists in intact riparian habitats, where its camouflage and secretive behavior make it easy to overlook.