Black-Crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, The Living Desert
2,116 views · Published 25 February 2013 · 1:21 · Indexed 22 September 2026
Channel: Melvin Wei · 2013 · Pets & Animals
The black-crowned night heron (or night heron) is a medium-sized heron found throughout most of the world except for the coldest regions and Australasia, where it is hybridized with or replaced by the Rufous night heron. They have stocky, more powerful builds than other herons, using their powerful talons for catching prey at the water's edge. Black-crowned night herons stand at the water's edge until prey comes by, then ambushes its prey, mainly at night or early morning. From the water, these herons must appear to be only a white inconspicuous mass near the water's edge. Black crowned night herons eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals, and small birds. During the day they rest in trees or bushes. The scientific name Nycticorax nycticorax means "night raven," and this refers to the species' nocturnal habits and harsh raven-like call, which is demonstrated at the end of this video. The breeding habitat for this species is fresh and saltwater marsh throughout most of the world. Black-crowned night herons nest in colonies on platforms of sticks in groups of trees, or on the ground in protected islands or reed beds. Females lay 3-8 eggs per clutch. Eggs are white and elliptical, similar to chicken eggs in appearance.
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