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Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

The Black-crowned Night Heron is a unique bird that loves to hunt for fish and frogs at night. With its striking black crown and white body, it is a beautiful sight near water.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Black-crowned Night Heron has a stout body, a distinct black cap and back, and grey wings. Its bright red eyes, white facial plumes (in breeding adults), and yellow legs make it easily recognizable. Juveniles are streaky brown for camouflage.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPelecaniformesFamilyArdeidaeGenusNycticorax
Black-crowned Night Heron
feathered trait badgesolitary trait badgepiscivorous trait badgeambush_predator trait badge
Black-crowned Night Heron

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A Black-crowned Night Heron can live over 20 years in the wild! Wow!

Hundreds of these herons often roost together, creating noisy "bird cities" in trees!

Juvenile herons are speckled brown, camouflaged perfectly among reeds and branches.

They make a unique, frog-like "quark!" sound, unlike most squawking herons.

Special abilities

Ability

Night Sight

Black-crowned Night Herons can see exceptionally well in low light, helping them hunt for fish and frogs after sunset.

Ability

Stealth Stance

This heron has incredible patience, standing perfectly still for long periods to ambush unsuspecting prey with a sudden lunge.

Ability

Quick Strike

Black-crowned Night Herons can strike with lightning speed from a still position, allowing them to snatch fast-moving aquatic food.

Measurements & details

Length
58-65 cm
Wingspan
90-112 cm
Weight
0.5-1 kg
Lifespan
10-21 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
21-26 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

These opportunistic hunters mainly eat small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects from shallow water.

Primary Foods

  • Fish
  • Frogs
  • Crayfish
  • Aquatic insects
  • Mice
  • Small birds

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Mummichog

Fundulus heteroclitus

A common small fish in estuaries they actively prey upon.

hunts

Frog species

Lithobates sp.

These herons regularly prey on various species of frogs.

hunts

Red Swamp Crayfish

Procambarus clarkii

Crayfish are a frequent and important part of their diet.

eaten by

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Alligators are opportunistic predators of heron eggs and chicks.

eaten by

Virginia Opossum

Didelphis virginiana

Opossums can raid nests, eating heron eggs and young chicks.

Traits

Also known as

Night Heron

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Black-crowned Night Heron?

58-65 cm

What is Black-crowned Night Heron's wingspan?

90-112 cm

How much does Black-crowned Night Heron weigh?

0.5-1 kg

How long does Black-crowned Night Heron live?

10-21 years

How fast can Black-crowned Night Heron move?

50 km/h

What does Black-crowned Night Heron eat?

These opportunistic hunters mainly eat small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects from shallow water.

Where is Black-crowned Night Heron usually found?

Wetlands

How does Black-crowned Night Heron hunt?

Ambush

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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