The Black-crowned Night Heron is a small and sturdy waterbird, with relatively short legs, neck, and bill – somewhat similar to the Green Heron in its proportions. The adult is light gray with a black back and crown, set off by long, narrow white head plumes during the breeding season. Both sexes have yellow-green legs, which turn pink during the breeding season.

An immature night heron may sometimes be mistaken for an American Bittern, since the young are brown with streaky backs and underparts and pale-spotted wings. Immature Black-crowned Night Herons do not acquire fully adult plumage until their third year.

While relatively common, the Black-crowned Night Heron can often be hard to detect, since it is most active in the crepuscular (early evening) and nighttime hours. What’s the reason behind this hidden heron’s seeming reticence?

Read on to find out more: https://abcbirds.org/bird/black-crown....