Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Florida, USA
The yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is one of two species of night heron in the genus Nyctanassa. The genus name Nycticorax derives from the Greek for "night raven" and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds
The yellow-crowned night heron eats mainly crustaceans as well as some insects, fish, frogs or worms. They stand still at the water's edge and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night. During the day, they rest in trees or bushes.
It takes about three years for yellow-crowned night herons to acquire the full physical appearance of adults. Adults have a slate-gray body with a black head, white cheek patches, and a creamy-yellow crown that gives them their name. During breeding season, they develop long, white plumes on their head. Young herons are mottled brown and white, generally with an all-black bill.
Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.
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