Black-crowned Night Heron -- South Dakota Birds

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa nycticorax

The Black-crowned is the Night Heron most likely to be seen in South Dakota.  Less solitary than the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, they are often seen in large groups during the day, sitting motionless in trees or thickets.  Black-crowned Night Herons are also more nocturnal of the two species, feeding primarily at night.  A mature Black-crowned Night Heron is pictured to the right, while a juvenile is depicted at the bottom of the page.

Habitat: Wide variety of fresh and salt-water habitats. 

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on fish, crustaceans, insects, amphibians, small rodents, small reptiles, small birds, and occasionally plant material. 

Nesting: June and July

Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey Map

Song: Black-crowned Night Heron Song.

Migrations: Summers throughout much of the U.S. and southern Canada.  Winters along U.S. coasts, Mexico, and Central America.

Similar Species: Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Status: Expanding in both range and numbers after declining in the mid-20th century.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Black-crowned Night Heron

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Black-crowned Night Heron"

3) eNature.com: Black-crowned Night Heron

Photo Information: May 14th, 2004 -- Lake Preston -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Black-crowned Night Heron photos.

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Range Map Reference: NatureServe

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08