Name That Canal Bird!

At the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal, we were lucky to meet one of the canal's permanent residents!  We've occasionally seen birds like this on our trip, but none this close.

This bird had about a four foot wingspan, stubby feet, and a large curved beak. Its neck was long but seemed to be kept folded in an S-shape, both on land and during flight. This bird hung out at the last lock where the sea water mixed with the fresh water coming through the canal.

It was being chased down the railroad tracks by one of the canal lock 'mules.' Instead of waddling away, it hopped with both feet before flying away, barely flapping its wings.

Name That Creature!!!

NTC