The back feathers typically have a silvery sheen and it has a short crest on its head.

[2]These highly territorial birds are found in intertidal zones and mangrove swamps on all of the islands of Galápagos Province.

The lava heron stalks small crabs and fish slowly before quickly spearing and eating them.

[4] Lava herons are typically seen hunched over and they have a sharp alarm call (described as a scow sound).

[4] Unlike most herons, these birds nest in solitary pairs for one breeding season in either the lower branches of mangrove trees or under lava rocks.