This heron is most often spotted near coastal wetlands, marshes, mangroves, and tidal streams found throughout the Americas, especially in the southeastern U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean. True to its name, it’s most active during the evening and early morning hours, quietly stalking through shallow waters in search of its favorite prey: crabs and other crustaceans.
One of the most recognizable things about the yellow-crowned night heron is its bold and elegant look. Adults have a slate-gray body, a black head marked by a bright white cheek patch, and a vivid yellowish-white crown of feathers running from the forehead to the back of the head. During the breeding season, they grow long, pale plumes on the back of the head, adding to their dramatic appearance. Their eyes are large and red-orange, well suited for low-light hunting, and their sturdy legs and short neck give them a somewhat stocky profile compared to taller heron species.
The yellow-crowned night heron is a patient hunter. It moves slowly or stands still at the water’s edge, waiting for crabs or small aquatic animals to appear. Once prey is within reach, it strikes quickly with its sharp bill. Although it mainly eats crabs and crayfish, it will take insects, snails, fish, and even small reptiles or amphibians when available. Their strong stomachs can even handle crab shells and exoskeletons, which many other birds avoid.
Juvenile yellow-crowned night herons look entirely different from adults. They are brown with white streaks, giving them a more camouflaged look while they learn to hunt and survive. It takes up to two years for them to develop the classic adult plumage. Another interesting detail — while many herons are solitary, yellow-crowned night herons can often be seen nesting near each other or even alongside black-crowned night herons, a close relative.
Distribution
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba
Brazil
British Virgin Is.
Canada
Cayman Islands
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curaçao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Martinique
Mexico
Montserrat
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Puerto Rico
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre
Saint Vincent
Sint Maarten
St. Kitts & Nevis
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
United States
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
