| Length: 25 inches | Wingspan: 45 inches | Seasonality: Rare Visitor |
| ID Keys: Black and white patterned face, gray body | ||
The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a rare visitor
to South Dakota, as it is normally found in the southeastern United
States. It is normally a secretive and solitary bird. Despite the
name, it is also active and feeds during the day. It has a very thick
stout bill, well adapted to feeding on crabs and other crustaceans,
leading to it's local name of "crab-eater" in many parts of the South.
Habitat: Very seldom in open areas, prefers wooded rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Diet: Feeds heavily on crustaceans, especially crayfish in the interior of the country. Also will eat fish, insects, tadpoles, and frogs.
Behavior: Will feed at any time of day, but very often near dusk and at night. Feeds by either standing still in shallow water or on a perch overlooking water, or by wading deliberately through the water in search of prey.
Breeding: No confirmed breeding records in South Dakota, although several summer observations have occurred in recent decades.
Song: A hollow squawking kwock.
Migration: Mainly summers in the southeastern United States. Winters along the coastlines, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies.
Interactive eBird map: Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Yellow-crowned Night-heron sightings
Similar Species: Black-crowned Night Heron
Status: Expanding in both range and numbers.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Yellow-crowned Night Heron
2) Audubon Field Guide - Yellow-crowned Night Heron
3) Whatbird.com - Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Photo Information: May 22nd, 2010 - Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the links below for additional, higher-resolution photos of this species.
| Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view |
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| South Dakota Status: Rare migrant and summer visitor in the eastern part of the state. No confirmed nesting in South Dakota, but there are a number of recorded summer sightings. |
Additional Yellow-crowned Night Heron Photos
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