Black-crowned Night Heron by iStockPhoto

Cool Fact
Young Black-crowned Night Herons may aggressively defend their nests, regurgitating and defecating (pooping) on human intruders, squawking with wings outstretched and beak wide open!

Sound

Call is a loud, harsh squawk.

To listen to the songs of this species click here.

Habitat

Marshes, swamps, streams, ponds, lakes, and fields.

Food
It eats a wide variety of foods. Earthworms, insects, fish, snakes, rodents, eggs, plants, garbage, and more

Did you know?

When feeding Black-crowned Night Herons dive feet first, or plunge headfirst into the water. They generally sleep during day except when they have to find food for their young in daylight hours.

It seems that adult Black-crowned Night Herons don’t distinguish between their own young and those from other nests, and will care for chicks that don’t belong to them.

Click here to watch video of a Black-crowned Night Heron catch a fish

To learn more about Black-crowned Night Heron at All About Birds!