Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
The Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a striking bird known for its distinctive red eyes and black crown, thriving in wetlands across the globe except in Australia and polar regions. Renowned for its twilight hunting habits, this heron captivates birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike with its unique appearance and behavior.
| 🇫🇷 | Bihoreau gris |
| 🇩🇪 | Nachtreiher |
| 🇲🇽 | Martinete común |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
How to Identify
Look for the distinctive black cap, white body, and striking red eyes. Juvenile birds are brownish, with darker areas that will eventually turn to dark grey, yet they already possess the characteristic red eyes.
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Characteristics
| Length | 58–66cm |
| Weight | 520-700g |
| Wingspan | 105–118cm |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 eggs |
| Incubation | 24-26 days |
| Fledging | 6-7 weeks |
| Sexual Maturity | 2-3 years |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Videos
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.
Where and When to Spot
I first observed Black-crowned Night Herons in St. Eustache. Rapids Park Lachine is another location where they are frequently seen, often concealed within trees near the water where they prefer to fish. For photography enthusiasts, St. Eustache offers better opportunities as the herons tend to come quite close.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Angrignon | - | x | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | - | x | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.