Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

Being used to the extremely shy European Grey Heron it was somewhat hard to know they were there! Their plumage closely match the color of lava rocks on which they rest during the day.

This one barely opened one eyelid to see what changed the audio-landscape (my body changing the way the sound is absorbed and reflected relative to its position) as I was passing just a few metres in front of it.

This is what makes Galapagos feel like visiting another planet, I know of no other place you can get this close to the animals. Except perhaps Svalbard.

It sounds like this:

Ecuador
00 19' 08" -089 56' 59"

Last updated on 6 April 2023