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Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violacea ORDER: CICONIIFORMES FAMILY: ARDEIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Photo

© William L. Newton / CLO

A nocturnal heron of the southern swamps and coasts, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron can also be found breeding along wooded streams northward to Indiana and Illinois.

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Appearance

Herons
Herons
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized rather stocky heron.
  • Black face and bill, with white cheek.
  • Yellowish crown stripe.
  • Gray body.
  • Legs yellow.

Immature Description

Brown with tiny white spots on the wings and narrow, indistinct streaks on the underparts. Bill black.

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Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Range Map
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