Black-crowned Night-Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron, adult

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Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

With a range that spans five continents, including much of North America, the Black-crowned Night-Heron is the most widespread heron in the world. It is most active at dusk and at night, feeding in the same areas that other heron species frequent during the day.

Description

• Medium-sized, stocky heron.
• Short neck and thick black bill.
• Black cap and back.
• Wings gray.
• Underparts white.

• Size: 58-66 cm (23-26 in)
• Wingspan: 115-118 cm (45-46 in)
• Weight: 727-1014 g (25.66-35.79 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar; female slightly smaller.

Sound

Call a loud, harsh squawk.

Conservation Status

Overall, populations stable. Because of wide distribution and feeding habits, the Black-crowned Night-Heron is an excellent indicator of ecosystem health. You can help scientists learn more about this species by participating in the Celebrate Urban Birds! project.

Other Names

Bihoreau à couronne noire (French)
Yaboa real, Guanaba, Guaco (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Young Black-crowned Night-Herons often disgorge their stomach contents when disturbed. This habit makes it easy to study its diet.

• The Black-crowned Night-Heron may nest in the same tree with ibises or other herons.

• Adult Black-crowned Night-Herons apparently do not distinguish between their own young and those from other nests, and will brood chicks not their own.

Sources used to construct this page:

Davis, W. E., Jr. 1993. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). In The Birds of North America, No. 74 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.