Fun Bare-throated Tiger Heron Facts For Kids

Known to be the largest tiger heron species, the bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) is a common medium to large-sized wading bird measuring 28-31.5 in (71-80 cm) found in Central America. The species is usually resident but sometimes it engages in migration, mostly to Mexico.

These birds prey on both aquatic and terrestrial animals and insects. Both male and female birds look alike.

However, the birds residing in Sinaloa and Sonora have a larger size with broader vermiculation.

The bird perches on nearby tree branches, waiting for its prey. It has a long black bill that aids in forking out crabs and insects from water bodies as well as the ground.

If you want to get better acquainted with the bare-throated tiger heron, Costa Rica can be your perfect weekend getaway. These birds can also be found in the zoos of Costa Rica so you can also take your kids along.

Keep reading to learn more about the bare-throated tiger heron. You can also enlighten your kids with some of these uncommon facts about the green heron and sanderling.

Bare-Throated Tiger Heron Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a bare-throated tiger heron?

The bare-throated tiger heron (scientific name: Tigrisoma mexicanum) is a bird species of Central America, classified under the Tigrisoma genus.

What class of animal does a bare-throated tiger heron belong to?

Bare-throated tiger herons are members of the family Ardeidae and they belong to the Aves class.

How many bare-throated tiger herons are there in the world?

An adult population of 50,000-499,999 bare-throated tiger herons has been recorded throughout the world. Although the population of the species is pretty abundant within its geographical range, a decreasing population pattern has been projected of late. These birds are susceptible to threats like habitat loss.

Where does a bare-throated tiger heron live?

The bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) can be found abundantly in Western and Eastern Mexico, Central America, and Northwestern Colombia. In Mexico, these birds can be found mostly from South Sonora to South Tamaulipas whereas, in Northwestern Colombia, the population is plentiful around the Atrato Valley.

The species sparsely populates Northwestern Peru. Migration can occasionally be seen where these birds fly off to the interiors of Mexico, especially in Morelos.

What is a bare-throated tiger heron's habitat?

This species is well suited to tropical and subtropical climates. The bare-throated tiger heron can be found in a varied range of habitats comprising forests and several freshwater habitats such as river or lake banks, marshes, swamps, bogs, and creeks. They can also be found in the coastal regions of brackish waters, particularly mangroves.

Who do bare-throated tiger Herons live with?

The species belonging to the family Ardeidae are known to engage in solitary breeding and also prefer to forage alone. However, they do join small flocks.

How long does a bare-throated tiger heron live?

The average lifespan of this wading bird species is around 7-12 years but these herons can survive for longer periods of 15-20 years.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding period depends on differing locations. For instance, in Costa Rica, breeding takes place throughout the year but peaks during early monsoons.

After copulation, the birds built a suitable small to large nest. A nest is generally constructed at a lower level on tree branches. The nest is flat and platform-like built out of sticks and twigs, decorated with leaves.

The clutch comprises one to three eggs. The reproduction details of these birds like the incubation period, parental care, and nesting period lack detailed description and require research at length.

What is their conservation status?

The Bare-throated tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) has been grouped under the Least Concern category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List owing to its abundant populations across its geographical range.

Bare-Throated Tiger Heron Fun Facts

What do bare-throated tiger herons look like?

The upper part of the body is vermiculated with a dark shade of olive-brown or black. The nape and crown are black while the sides of the head are gray colored.

There's a prominent black line that starts from under the eyes and extends to the yellow-colored throat, hence their name. The hindneck is finely barred in buff and brown shades. The underparts are colored in cinnamon brown.

The throat color changes from yellow to orange during the breeding period. They have silver to yellow colored eyes while the feet and legs are slate-green to gray-olive. The bill is generally bluish with a yellow mandible.

A juvenile bare-throated tiger heron possesses a barred body in cinnamon-buff. The head, breast, and neck are fuscous-brown hued with a blackish tail and wings.

How cute are they?

These large herons are beautiful freshwater birds. They display a captivating look that can easily melt your heart. For instance, the night heron looks stunning in its white-gray plumage.

How do they communicate?

Just like the other herons, the bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) interacts via vocalizations and gestures. Vocalizations include multiple sounds and calls.

Calls like 'howk-howk-howk' and the repetitive 'ohrr-ohrr-orrr' (accompanied with raising of the neck and bill vertically) have been identified with the bird species. The 'howk-howk-howk' call is produced on flushing. They let out a rugged and hoarse call that can be pretty unpleasant to the ears.

How big is a bare-throated tiger heron?

Bare-throated tiger herons measure around 28-31.5 in (71-80 cm) in length. These birds are almost double the size of least bitterns measuring approximately 11-14 in (28-36 cm) in length but comparatively smaller than the gray herons measuring 33-40 in (84-102 cm).

How fast can a bare-throated tiger heron fly?

The accurate speed limit of the bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) is shrouded in mystery. However, herons, in general, can achieve a flight speed of 30 mph (48 kph). These birds don't fly too high as the upper elevation limit only reaches up to 3,281 ft (1,000 m).

How much does a bare-throated tiger heron weigh?

The average weight of the large-sized heron falls in the range of about 2.2-3 lb (1-1.3 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Like all other herons, the male and female of the species are regarded as a cock and hen respectively.

What would you call a baby bare-throated tiger heron?

You can call a baby bare-throated tiger heron a chick, nestling, or hatchling. A female heron can normally lay two to three eggs.

What do they eat?

This heron species indulges in a carnivorous diet that incorporates a large variety of fish, frogs, insects, and crustaceans. Fish like eels, crustaceans like crabs, and insects such as flies form an indispensable part of their regular diet.

They seldom feed on terrestrial rodents. These birds are generally found feeding alone or sometimes in small flocks. However, while preying on fish, frogs, crabs, and other insects, they remain absolutely motionless, waiting along river or lake banks for the prey to appear.

Are they poisonous?

Herons are nonvenomous. These birds are harmless in their interactions with humans, though they may portray some aggressiveness when they feel threatened.

Would they make a good pet?

A heron is normally not reared as a pet. These birds must not be estranged from their natural habitats and confined within cages.

Did you know...

The population of the species has been severely affected in Panama due to activities like drainage, agricultural development, and persecution. In Colombia, the bird is considered to be near threatened as a result of habitat alteration specifically in the Atrato River and Gulf of Uraba'.

What is special about the Bare-throated Tiger Heron?

The Bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) derives its name from its appearance. An immature bare-throated tiger heron exhibits a cinnamon-brown barred body. The adults are also barred throughout their bodies with a naked, yellow throat that turns yellow-green in the mating period.

Are Bare-throated Tiger Herons endangered?

Several heron species have already been considered endangered. For instance, the white-bellied heron is critically endangered. The population of the wading bird species is currently ample throughout its habitat range but a decline has been witnessed that can potentially affect the bird population in the future. The major threat associated with their diminishing numbers is habitat loss.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our snowy egret facts and Pacific reef heron facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable heron coloring pages.