Herons, Egrets

Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax

Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets)

Size: 25"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Marshes, swamps with wooded banks

The nocturnal black-crowned night-heron is a stocky, thick-necked heron with a comparatively large head and a sharp, heavy, thick bill. It has pale-gray wings; white underparts; and a black crown, back, and bill. The eyes are piercing red, the legs are yellow, and there are white plumes on the rear of the head (longest during breeding). During the day it roosts in groups, but at night it forages alone, waiting motionless for prey such as fish or crabs. It may even raid the nests of other birds. Its voice is composed of low-pitched barks and croaks. The adult is illustrated.