A heron so crazy coloured you will not believe your eyes! And still, with all its colours, it is brilliantly camouflaged for a life in between drying long plumes of grass. Meet the Whistling heron (once again).
Seen for the first time ever on December 13th 2017 (https://birdwatchingcuracao.com/2017/12/14/lifer-the-whistling-heron/), this species has been visiting the island of Curaçao occasionally and sporadically since than in several periods of the year. Never in abundant numbers, almost always as individual solitary birds roaming in grassy areas. Now for the first time ever, this species has been recorded for the area of Westpunt. First by birder Rob Wellens and later on the same day by birder Nelly Rigot, who made the stunning images in this article.
Whistling herons
These birds measure about 64 cm in length and are not the largest of the heron species occurring on the island. However the do appear larger as they tend to walk straight up while looking for pray in long patches of grass. In their original place of occurrence, Venezuela to Argentina, they live mostly in savanna like areas in which they hunt for large insects such as grass hoppers and dragonflies, as well as small reptiles and other grassland animals. There are two (2) subspecies; one occurring in Venezuela and Colombia and the other more southwards towards Argentina. Most probably Venezuelan birds are crossing over towards our island occasionally, although we have no conclusive evidence of this it is the most probable place of origin, as they do move seasonally in the area of Venezuela.
It is unclear why the Whistling heron is moving more towards the Caribbean, with reported sightings from sister island Aruba as well. The fact is that is a fantastic animal to spot and observe.
All photos my Mrs. Nelly Rigot.
ENG: Whistling Heron
NL: Fluitreiger
PAP:-
SCIEN: Syrigma sibilatrix
Bird Watching Curaçao - HOME 
Looks an incredible place and that heron certainly is a bird worthy of a whistle.
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