Agami Heron (Agamia agami) Breeding Colony at

Cocococha Lake, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru.

Victoria Thompson

Abstract. This report describes a large breeding colony of Agami Herons (Agamia agamia), one of the
least known species of herons. Reports show that the species is known to breed in small colonies;
however, one exceptionally large colony of up to 900 nests is known to exist in French Guiana. With
over 123 nests, this appears to be one of the largest and most accessible colonies, providing much
scope for further study into this species. The report provides timings of key events over the breeding
season, and courtship behaviour, including beak duels and facial coloration are described, along with
predation of eggs by Brown Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus apella). Isolation and protection of breeding
sites are considered to be a factor in the suitability of a site to support large numbers for herons; due
to the importance of this colony in providing further insight into this species, every effort should be
made to ensure the site remains free from human disturbance. June 2007
______________________________________________
INTRODUCTION that most birds were nesting along the lake
shore and fairly visible, some birds were
The Agami heron is a small heron of up to nesting along a small stream which leads from
70cm, distinguishable by its long beak. It the lake, and it is likely that other birds may
occurs in Central and South America. Due to have been nesting in denser vegetation further
its rarity and secretive behaviour it is one of into the forest.
the least known species of herons (Reynaud & The count was always made by the same
Kushlan 2004). It is known to be a solitary individual, using 8x40 binoculars, from a
forager and to nest in small colonies, either distance of approximately 25m. Any other
alone or near to other species (Hancock & observations such as, behaviour, predation and
Kushlan 1984). Scattered reports exist of a development of chicks was documented. In
number of small breeding colonies, and one addition to field observations, information was
particularly large colony in French Guiana, sought from Elisban Armas, a local guide and
consisting of approximately 900 nests long-term resident of the area.
(Reynaud & Kushlan 2004). This report
describes a large breeding colony at STUDY SITE
Cocococha Lake, one of the largest oxbow
lakes of the Tambopata National Reserve, Cocococha Lake is situated in the
which is easily accessible by foot via a 5km Tambopata National Reserve, a protected area
trail from the Explorer’s Inn Lodge. of 278,284ha in South-East Peru. The lake is
accessible via a 5km trail from Explorer’s Inn
METHODS lodge, a small ecolodge with a capacity of 60
guests, located approximately 60km from the
The study was conducted over the period city of Puerto Maldonado.
December 2006 to April 2007. Observations The Agami heron colony occurs at the far
were made from a small catamaran, consisting western end of Cocococha Lake. The
of 2 metal canoes bolted together. The site colony is distributed in a semi-circle
was only accessible by boat. around the end of the lake in an area of
Visits were made to the colony at various approximately 150m x 30m (see Figure
times of the day and in various weather 1). Other species present at the site
conditions. No movement of birds to or from included Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)
the colony was seen between 7.30am or 6pm. and Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
As the majority of the herons were nesting
along the shore of the lake, and fairly visible, Cocococha Lake is currently utilised by
an estimate of the population size was Explorer’s Inn lodge for eco-tourism and
produced by counting the numbers of birds and research purposes. The majority of guests at
nests present during daylight hours. However, the lodge visit Cocococha, however, boat
it should be noted that the estimate is likely to access is restricted to a small portion of the
be an underestimate; although it was thought lake (Figure 1) and they must be accompanied
by a guide. The area of the lake utilised by the
Agami heron colony is off-limits to tourists
and is only very rarely visited by researchers
who follow strict guidelines to prevent
disturbance to the colony.
Cocococha Lake also lies within the
Indigenous Area of Infierno Community who
utilise the lake and surrounding areas for
subsistence hunting, collecting and fishing.
However, members of the community do not
have boat access onto the lake itself and as the
area utilised by the Agami herons is fairly
inaccessible by foot it appears that this area is
rarely visited by Infierno community.
RESULTS
Agami herons first began to use this site in
1991, when six breeding pairs were seen to be
breeding (E. Armas, 2007, pers. comm. 5
January) In 2001 the colony began to increase,
and has since been increasing to its current size
(E. Armas, 2007, pers. comm. 5 January).
Nesting occurs in the rainy season. In
2005 the whole colony was found to be present
at the site in late November; however, in 2006
the first birds were not sighted until 19th
December (6 birds). The full colony was
present by 11th January. Nests were located
in bushes around the lakeshore, to a depth of
approximately 20m from the lake edge. Nests
were between 0.5 and 3.5m above water.
At the beginning of the breeding season, in late
December and January, beak duels were
common between the herons. Throughout the
day many birds were engaged in these duels
which often lasted 30 minutes or more. The
loud sound of this rapid “clicking” of beaks
was audible from a distance of at least 50m.
During this period of time what is presumed to
be the male herons also had a distinctive red
colouration on their cheeks. This lasted
throughout the courtship stage until the
beginning of February.
Nest building began in early January and
was completed by 20th January. On 23rd
February large chicks, of around 20cm in
length, were sighted sitting in nests; by 15th
March some chicks had fully fledged and were
seen perched on, and flying between bushes.
On 15th March, however, some herons were
still incubating the characteristic bright blue
eggs of Agami herons. By the end of this
study, on 3rd April 2007, there were few herons
still sat on nests; large numbers of fully
fledged juveniles were present in the colony
and it appeared that some adults had left the
breeding colony altogether.
The number of visible nests was counted
on 23rd February. 123 nests were counted in
total. The maximum number of birds counted
was 287 (11th January). The mean average of
birds counted during mid-January to mid-
March was 272.
The characteristic low pitched rattling call
of the species, called the “Gr” call (Kushlan &
Hancock, 2005) was given by the colony
throughout the day. This continued on
approach by the boat. Nest shading, and
shading of juveniles as described by Reynaud
& Kushlan, (2004) was also observed.
An interesting observation occurred on 23rd
February when brown capuchin monkeys
(Cebus apella) were seen to predate eggs of the
Agami Heron colony. Noise level of the “Gr”
call increased considerably and movement of
the herons between branches increased. Two
Brown Capuchin monkeys then came into
view, which were seen to take eggs from nests
of the herons. One monkey was seen to take 2
eggs, and another, one egg. These were the
taken to nearby aguaje palm tress where they
were consumed by the monkeys. It was
possible that more monkeys were present,
although only 2 were sighted. Shortly after the
departure of the monkeys, noise levels and
movement of the birds reduced to a normal
level.
DISCUSSION
There are a number of reports of colonial
nesting of the Agami Heron (Michener
et al. 1964; de Vries 1968; Ramo &
Busto
1982; Marin 1989; Haverschmidt &
Mees
1994; Jones, 2002 and Reynaud &
Kushlan, 2004). Much of the earlier
literature reports small colonies of
only a few pairs of herons, however;
recently, a colony of over 80 nests
was reported in Belize (Jones, 2002)
and a particularly large colony
estimated at around 900 nests was
reported in French Guiana (Reynaud
& Kushlan, 2004). As the colony in
French Guiana is only accessible by
helicopter, this colony, with at least
123 nests, appears to be one of the
largest and most accessible breeding
colonies of Agami Herons.
Along with high availability of
food, it has been suggested that
isolation and protection of sites may
be a factor in the suitability of a site
to support large numbers of breeding
herons (Reynaud & Kushlan, 2004).
Reynaud and Kushlan (2004) also
note that behaviour of the colony
suggests site security is important.
The site at Cocococha is situated
within the fully protected Tambopata
National Reserve and although easily
accessible by boat, is at this
moment, relatively undisturbed by
human activity. This protection of
the site, along with a high availability
of food are likely to be important
factors in the attractiveness of the
site to the herons.
ground for further study of this
species and the accessibility of this
colony provides much scope for
further study. It is, however, vitally
important that the colony and
surrounding area keep the protection
currently afforded and remain free
from human disturbance in order to
ensure the longevity of this large
colony of rare and secretive birds.

The arrival of Agami Herons at the

breeding site appears to be strongly
linked with the arrival of the rainy
season. In 2005, the rainy season
began in November and the colony
was present by late November. In
2006, the rainy season started later
than usual and the first birds did not
begin to arrive until late December.
The link between breeding of the
herons and the rainy season is likely
to be due to a greater availability of
food at this time.
Both movement of herons to and
from the colony, and feeding of
young, were not observed at
Cocococha. Agami Herons are known REFERENCES
to enter and leave breeding sites in
darkness (Reynaud & Kushlan, 2004)
and it is possible that these herons De Vries, P. J. 1968. Nesting of Agamia
may have been moving in the hours agami. In F.Haverschmidt, Birds of Surinam.
of darkness between 6pm and Edinburg & London.
7.30am. As no birds were seen
entering or leaving the colony, Hancock, J. and J. A. Kushlan. 1984. The
nothing is known about the directions Herons handbook. Crom Helm, London &
of flight, or areas in which they may Sydney.
be feeding.
It may also be possible that the Haverschmidt, F. and G. F. Mees. 1994. Birds
maximum count of 287 herons of Surinam. Vaco, Uitgeversmaatschappij,
observed during daytime hours only Paramaribo.
relates to a percentage of herons
actually breeding at the site. Jones, H. L. 2002. Central America. North
Reynaud and Kushlan (2004) American Birds 56:484-495.
observed that of 122 nests inspected
during daylight hours, 75% were Kushlan, J. A. and J. A. Hancock. (2005). The
unattended by adults. However, herons. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
observations at Cocococha suggest
that most visible nests were attended Marin, M. 1989. Notes on the breeding of
by at least one parent during daylight Chesnut-bellied Herons (Agamia agami) in
hours. Costa Rica. Condor 91: 215-217.
It has been suggested that Agami
Herons appear to be quite different Michener, M. C., J. S. Weske and R. B. Clapp.
from other heron species (Reynaud & 1964. A breeding colony of Agami Herons in
Kushlan, 2004). There is much Veracruz. Condor 66: 77-78.
Ramo, C. and B. Busto. 1982. Notes on the
breeding of the Chesnut-bellied Herons
(Agamia agami) in Venezuela. Auk 99: 784.

Reynaud, P.A and Kushlan, J.A. (2004).

Nesting of the Agami Heron. Waterbirds 27
(3): 308-311.

Author:
Victoria Thompson BSc (hons) AIEEM
7 High Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria,
CA12 5RN, ENGLAND.
Tel: 00441768773495
E-mail: vikkithompson1@hotmail.com