Herons, Egrets

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Nyctanassa violacea

Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets)

Size: 24"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Marshes, ponds, coastal shrubs

Shaped somewhat like the black-crowned night-heron, the yellow-crowned night-heron is blue gray overall with a black face, white cheek patch, and slim, pale crown that is not really yellow but whitish or pale buff. In breeding plumage it develops plumes from behind the crest. Its eyes are large and red, and its legs are yellow. The immature bird is drab brown gray, mottled with light streaks. It is nocturnal but will occasionally feed during the day for crustaceans and other aquatic animals, roosting in groups at night. The adult is illustrated.