Black-crowned Night-heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Black-crowned Night-heron boasts a striking contrast of colours. Adults have a black crown and back, grey wings, and white underparts. Their eyes are a vivid red, complemented by a stout black bill and distinctive yellow legs.
Juveniles differ significantly, displaying brown plumage streaked with white. During the breeding season, adults develop long white plumes extending from the back of the head, adding to their elegant appearance.
Males are females are alike in appearance, with females being slightly smaller.
Size
Length
58cm to 65cm
Wingspan
110cm to 120cm
Weight
727g to 1.014kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black Grey White
Secondary Colour
Green
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Yellow
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Black-crowned Night-herons inhabit a wide range of wetland habitats, including freshwater and saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, and the edges of lakes and ponds. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
In North America, they breed across much of the United States and southern Canada, with year-round populations in coastal areas. European populations are more scattered, with a notable presence in wetlands across the continent, including parts of the UK.
Elevation Range
Up to 4,800 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Black-crowned Night-heron. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Black-crowned Night-heron demonstrates considerable agility in its precise hunting technique, striking at prey with lightning-fast precision. Its ability to navigate through wetland environments and perch in trees also suggests good manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
While not exceptionally strong for its size, this heron possesses a robust build and a stout bill capable of catching and handling a variety of prey, including fish and small mammals. Its strength is sufficient for its lifestyle but not remarkable among birds of similar size.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Black-crowned Night-herons show impressive adaptability, thriving in diverse aquatic habitats worldwide, from freshwater to saltwater environments. Their ability to live in urban areas and use tools to attract fish demonstrates significant adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
These herons are not particularly aggressive birds. They tend to be more passive, often standing motionless for long periods. However, they may display some aggression during breeding season or when defending nesting sites, hence the moderate score.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Black-crowned Night-heron's endurance is noteworthy, as evidenced by its ability to stand motionless for extended periods while hunting and its capacity for long-distance migration in some populations. However, it's not known for exceptional feats of endurance compared to some other migratory birds.
Diet
Black-crowned Night-herons are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates. They also eat small mammals, birds, and eggs.
Their hunting strategy involves standing still or walking slowly in shallow water, quickly striking to catch prey with their strong bills.
Behaviour
Black-crowned Night-herons are primarily nocturnal, becoming active at dusk. They often stand motionless at the water's edge, waiting to strike at prey with lightning-fast precision.
During the day, they roost in groups in trees near water, sometimes forming mixed colonies with other heron species.
Vocalisation
The Black-crowned Night-heron's most distinctive call is a loud, harsh 'quok' or 'wok', often heard at dusk or during the night.
During courtship, they produce a variety of softer sounds, including grunts, groans, and clucks. Juveniles make a persistent 'kek-kek-kek' when begging for food.
Nesting & Breeding
Black-crowned Night-herons typically breed in colonies, often with other heron species. Pair formation begins in spring, with males performing elaborate courtship displays involving stretching their necks and raising their plumes.
Nests are platform-like structures made of sticks, usually built in trees or dense shrubs near water. Females lay 3-5 pale blue-green eggs per clutch.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 24-26 days. Chicks fledge at approximately 6-7 weeks but may return to the nest for several more weeks to be fed by their parents.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While globally listed as Least Concern, Black-crowned Night-herons face localised threats from habitat loss and water pollution.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetlands and improving water quality in urban and suburban areas where these adaptable birds often reside.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them near water bodies at dusk or dawn
- Listen for their distinctive 'quok' call
- Check dense foliage near wetlands for roosting birds
- In urban areas, search near park ponds or canals
- Use a spotlight at night to observe their foraging behavior
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Did You Know?
- Black-crowned Night-herons have special light-sensitive cells in their eyes that enhance their night vision.
- They are one of the most widespread heron species globally, found on five continents.
- These herons sometimes use tools, dropping bait on the water's surface to attract fish.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 3
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Nycticorax nycticorax (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22697211A155515762.
View source - 2
report, 2015: Wetlands International
- 4
website, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
View source
Share Your Feedback
We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.