Pixaim River
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America
The capped heron (Pilherodius pileatus) is a species of heron in the family Ardeidae. It is in the monotypic genus Pilherodius. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are rivers, swamps, and freshwater lakes.
An attractive heron, if slightly odd in appearance, the Capped Heron is a resident of South American forested swamps, river courses and small pools. Although it seems adaptable to any habitat with water and has a wide distribution, it usually occurs only at low densities. Often seen flying along rivers or feeding in pools, the Capped Heron can be conspicuous, and easily is identified. In flight, it is best distinguished from other white herons by its small size and rapid, choppy flight style. The bird is the sole member of the genus Pilherodius.
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Poorly known; thinly but widely distributed and evidently scarce, rare to uncommon in E Panama; uncommon in Brazil.
Eats small fish, generally less than 5 cm-long, aquatic insects (including their larvae), frogs and tadpoles. Passive feeder, diurnal. – Wikipedia