Species Facts

Conservation Status: IUCN Least Concern

Description: These herons start out as very cryptic youngsters with streaked brown plumage. Once fully grown, they have a dark blue cap and back, grey wings, and white underside. Their eyes are a striking red, and they will sport long white plumes off the back of their heads during the breeding season.

Play Black-crowned Night-Heron call:

Where to find them: Black-crowned Night-Herons can be found in wetlands across much of North America as well as throughout Central and South America. As their name suggests, these herons are most active at dawn and dusk, but you might catch them taking a nap in trees or along the banks of ponds and other bodies of water during the day.

Fun Facts:

• Black-crowned Night-Herons nest in mixed-species flocks. You might see them alongside Snowy Egrets or ibises.

Threats: Tree-trimming, habitat encroachment, fishing gear

How YOU can Help: Trim trees between the months of September and February. Fish responsibly, and pick up any fishing line or gear that you see left out. Keep an eye out for birds in need! Night-Herons will sometimes nest in trees in busy urban areas, like in parking lots or along walkways, and their young may fall from their nests and become injured.