Black-crowned Night Heron

The Black-crowned Night Heron, scientifically known as Nycticorax nycticorax, is a medium-sized heron with a global presence, spanning parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It is distinguished by its black crown and back, contrasting with a white or grey body, red eyes, and short yellow legs. Notably, it deviates from the typical heron silhouette, appearing more robust with shorter bills, legs, and necks compared to its egret and day heron relatives.

Identification Tips

Adults boast a striking black crown and back, with the rest of their plumage primarily white or grey. Their eyes are a vivid red, and they stand on short yellow legs. During social interactions, such as greeting or courtship, they display two or three elongated white plumes that extend from the back of their heads. Males and females are similar in appearance, though males may be marginally larger. Juveniles, on the other hand, are cloaked in a dull grey-brown with pale spots and streaks, and their eyes are a more subdued orange with less vibrant legs.

Habitat

These herons favor fresh and salt-water wetlands as their breeding grounds, which are found across their vast range.

Distribution

The Black-crowned Night Heron breeds across various regions: from Eurasia to Africa, the Indonesian Archipelago, North and South America, and even the remote Falkland Islands. While migratory in the northern extremes, it is generally a resident species, with North American populations wintering in warmer climes from Mexico to the West Indies.

Behaviour

Known for their ambush hunting tactics, these herons stand motionless at the water's edge, striking at prey primarily during the night or early morning. They exhibit a diverse diet, consuming fish, amphibians, insects, and more. They are also one of the few heron species to use tools, such as bait, to fish. By day, they rest in trees or shrubbery, and outside of breeding season, some subspecies display more sociable tendencies.

Song & Calls

The Black-crowned Night Heron is a vocal species within its colonies, often heard making a "quok" or "woc" sound.

Breeding

Colonial nesters, they construct platforms of sticks in trees or on the ground in protected areas. Clutch sizes range from three to eight eggs.

Similar Species

The Black-crowned Night Heron can be confused with other heron species, but its distinctive black crown, back, and shorter stature help differentiate it.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet is varied, including small fish, crustaceans, insects, small mammals, and even refuse. They have been observed using bait to attract fish, a rare behavior for birds.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Black-crowned Night Heron as Least Concern, indicating a stable population across its extensive range.