Very limited as an Oklahoma breeding species even now, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is located in diverse habitats. Sometimes it is found in saline or fresh water, but is usually seen in quiet, tree lined river habitats.
This bird is not as nocturnal as could be considered, and can be quite active during daylight hours.
It roosts in trees like other herons, often hidden from view within foliage. It can also be found on the ground in dense reeds or shrubs and will usually forage upon crabs, mussels, fish, crayfish, and other crustaceans. They favor edges of ponds or streams while walking in the water at twilight or early morning. They are dependent upon the tide in mudflats.
Adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
in breeding plumage
Estero Llano Grande NWR, 2017
Night-Herons usually nest in small colonies and groups, atypical of other herons. They are generally near or over water. Both parents will feed their young, usually via regurgitation or dropping food directly in the nest itself. When the young are old enough to learn how to forage, this instruction is usually done at night.
These birds are thinner than the Black-crowned Night-Heron with a dark, thin bill. Juveniles have small white spots, whereas the Black-crowned will have broad blurry streaks and larger white spots on the wing coverts. The immature Yellow-crowned takes nearly three years to molt into full adult plumage.
Second Summer Yellow-crowned Night-heron
Boomer Lake Park, Sept. 2016
(Heron Cove)
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