Lava Heron
Butorides sundevalli
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPelecaniformes (Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies)
- FamilyArdeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
- GenusButorides (Green-backed Herons)
- SpeciesButorides sundevalli (Lava Heron)
About the Lava Heron
The lava heron (Butorides sundevalli), also known as the Galápagos heron, is a species of heron endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. It was considered by some authorities, including the American Ornithological Society and BirdLife International, to be a subspecies (or even just a colour morph) of the striated heron (B. striata), and was formerly lumped with this species and the green heron (B. virescens) as the green-backed heron. Recent research has shown (unexpectedly) that it is more closely related to the North American green heron, than it is to the geographically much closer South American striated heron, and its status as a Galápagos endemic species is now universally accepted.
The adult is slate-grey to black, which allows it to blend in with the hardened lava. The back feathers typically have a silvery sheen and it has a short crest on its head. When breeding, the heron has a black beak and bright orange legs, but these fade to grey after the breeding season.
These highly territorial birds are found in intertidal zones and mangrove swamps on all of the islands of Galápagos Province. The lava... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Lava Heron in Galápagos Islands
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Galápagos Islands
Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galápagos Islands | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Lava Heron in Galápagos Islands?
About 60% of wildlife watchers report a Lava Heron sighting in Galápagos Islands, based on 1,354 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Lava Heron in Galápagos Islands?
May has the highest sighting rate for Lava Heron in Galápagos Islands in our monthly data.