Yellow-crowned Night Heron Identification

Adult

Stocky and compact heron with a blocky head and thick neck. Adults have a boldly marked black-and-white head with a yellow crown, though the yellow can be hard to see depending on lighting conditions. Note gray underparts.

Juvenile

Juveniles are brown and streaky overall with fine streaking and spotting. Note the hefty black bill.

Adult

Thick-necked and relatively short-legged heron with a thick, all-dark bill.

Immature

Immatures take 3-4 years to attain adult plumage. Immatures are browner overall than adults with an adultlike head pattern that develops over time. This individual is starting to show a whitish cheek patch.

Adult

Flies with neck tucked in and feet trailing behind, sticking out past the end of the tail.

Juvenile

Adult

Males perform a neck-stretching display for females by slowly raising and quickly retracting their head while fanning their long shoulder plumes. Females sometimes reciprocate displays.

Adult

Compact heron with an upright stance; often stands with its neck tucked in. The bold head pattern and yellow crown are distinctive.

Adult

Stands still patiently waiting for prey or slowly walks in search of crabs, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates.

Habitat

Found in coastal wetlands, barrier islands, saltmarshes, drainage ditches, mangroves, swamps, and sometimes wet lawns or fields.