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Birdle

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Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Despite its misleading ID, the Black-crowned Night Heron is a stocky, compact heron found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. Adults wear a black crown, grey wings, and creamy underparts with striking red eyes. True to its name, it feeds mainly at night, standing motionless at the water's edge before striking.

Fun Fact

Night Herons are the most widespread heron in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica and Oceania.

Attributes

TypeWading Bird
Habitatwetland, coastal
SizeMedium
Dietfish
FlightStandard
Colorsblack, gray, white
MigratoryYes
ContinentsNorth America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa
Nest Typeplatform
ConservationLeast Concern
Difficulty: hard