Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
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<birdfyi-bird slug="nycticorax-nycticorax"></birdfyi-bird>The Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a bird species in the family Ardeidae (herons & egrets), within the order Pelecaniformes (pelicans & herons). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 57.1 cm and a weight of 779.4 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
The Black-crowned Night Heron is a stocky, medium-sized heron with a distinctive black crown and back, grey wings, and white underparts, found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. It inhabits a wide range of wetlands including marshes, swamps, rivers, and coastal areas, feeding nocturnally on fish, frogs, invertebrates, and small mammals. It nests colonially in trees or shrubs near water.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 57.1 cm | 22.5 in |
| Weight | 779.425 g | 27.49 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 21-26 days. Fledging: 40-50 days.
Clutch Size
1-8
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes (Pelicans & Herons) |
| Family | Ardeidae (Herons & Egrets) |
| Genus | Nycticorax |
| Species | Nycticorax nycticorax |
Distribution
Black-crowned Night Heron has been recorded in 13 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Black-crowned Night Heron endangered?
How does the Black-crowned Night Heron nest?
How big is the Black-crowned Night Heron?
What order and family does the Black-crowned Night Heron belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Ardeidae family