| Black-crowned Night Heron | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | Nycticorax |
| Species: | Nycticorax nycticorax |
The Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), also known as Black-capped Night Heron, is a cosmopolitan bird in the family Ardeidae.
Description[]
A medium-sized heron, the Night Heron is about 60 to 70 cm long and weighs 500 to 800 g. It has a wingspan of about 100 cm. It has a sturdy grey body, broad, rounded grey wings, a black back, a black crown with a tuft of white feathers, a long and pointy dark grey bill, yellow legs, large red eyes and a short tail. The sexes are alike, while the juvenile has grey-brown upperparts mottled with white, and whitish underparts.
Voice[]
The Night Heron's call is a hoarse, croaky sound, usually repeated twice and given in flight, that is somewhat reminiscent of a corvid's.
Behaviour[]
As the name "Nycticorax" (Greek for "night crow") indicates, Night Herons are primarily nocturnal. The best time to spot them is at dusk, though they may also be seen flying around or resting in the vegetation near the water during the day. They usually hunt alone but breed in colonies of about a dozen couples. Night Herons are migratory.
Feeding[]
They feed on fish, amphibians, young birds and other small vertebrates. When hunting, they slowly walk along the edge of the water until they spot a potential prey item, at which point they freeze and then swiftly dart forwards to catch the animal with their sharp bills.
Breeding[]
Night Herons start breeding around the month of April. Their nests, made of sticks, are placed on top of tall trees. They generally lay 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated for about 21-22 days. The chicks leave their nest about a month from hatching.
Distribution and habitat[]
This bird is found all over the world with the exception of Antarctica and the Arctic region. It frequents marshes, swamps, lakes, rivers and rice paddies.
Gallery[]
