Embedded Files
Night Herons at Fort De Soto
Night Herons at Fort De Soto
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Black-Crowned Night Heron
Black-Crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Juvenile
How to Distinguish Between the Night Herons
It's easier to distinguish the difference between the adult yellow-crowned night heron (YCNH) and the adult black-crowned night heron (BCNH). A bird's crown is the top part of its head. The YCNH has a yellowish white crown with a white streak under its eyes, whereas the BCNH has a black crown. The YCNH has darker grey underparts and wings compared to the BCNH's pale grey underparts and wings. Additionally, the BCNH has a black back. BCNH's are stockier with a hunched posture whereas the YCNH has an erect posture. The YCNH has longer legs than the BCNH.
When comparing the two juveniles, remember that the YCNH has a longer neck, longer legs, and a thicker bill. The BCNH has a thinner and curved bill with a flatter forehead. The BCNH also has softer streaks of white on its neck compared to the YCNH's harsher white streaks on its neck.
Black-Crowned Night Heron
Black-Crowned Night Heron
Juvenile
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Yellow-crowned night herons, Nyctanassa violacea, ...
Although they are rarely seen, Yellow-Crowned Night Herons stalk for their food. Having a grey and black body, along with a striking yellow crown, these birds are easy to identify when you do see them.
Heading to a marshy area is your best bet, but they can be seen all throughout Fort De Soto!
Habitat
Xxx
Foraging
Xxx
Conservation
Xxx
Black-Crowned Night Heron
Black-Crowned Night Heron
Black-Crowned Night Herons, Nycticorax nycticorax, ...
The most wide spread heron species, these birds are identifiable by there black, gray, and white plumage. They eat fish, crabs, and other small creatures, by stalking though water.
Although they are seen all over the park, they are skeptical of people so seeing one might be hard!
⭐ Fun Fact: The black-crowned night heron is the most widespread heron in the world! They breed on every continent except for Australia and Antarctica!⭐
Habitat
Xxx
Foraging
Xxx
⭐ Fun Fact: Black-crowned night herons are used as an indicator of environmental quality! Since they are a high trophic level bird, they accumulate contaminants in the ecosystem and therefore show how clean the ecosystem is!⭐
Conservation
Xxx
Page updated
Report abuse