Photo: TonyCastro / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Zigzag Heron
Zebrilus undulatus
Zigzag Heron (Zebrilus undulatus) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of South America.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Zigzag Heron (Zebrilus undulatus) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 123 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Zebrilus
- Species undulatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 123 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Zigzag Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Zigzag Heron is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Zigzag Heron (Zebrilus undulatus) is a species of bird in the Ardeidae family, part of the order Pelecaniformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA Amazonia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 123 g, with a wing length of about 14.1 cm and a tail of around 5.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Zigzag Heron?
The Zigzag Heron is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 123 g.
Where does the Zigzag Heron live?
The Zigzag Heron is found across South America with a range covering SA Amazonia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Zigzag Heron belong to?
The Zigzag Heron (Zebrilus undulatus) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Zigzag Heron eat?
The Zigzag Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Zigzag Heron migrate?
The Zigzag Heron is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Zigzag Heron endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Zigzag Heron make?
1 real field recording of the Zigzag Heron — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Zigzag Heron's range?
The Zigzag Heron has a mapped global range of about 5.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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