Black-crowned Night-Heron Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Adult
Adult Yellow-crowned Night-Herons have darker gray underparts than Black-crowned Night-Herons. They also have a bolder black-and-white head pattern.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, July 25, 2017Similar Species
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Adult
In flight the legs of Yellow-crowned Night-Herons extend farther past the tail than the legs of Black-crowned Night-Herons.
© Oscar Johnson | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, June 11, 2017Similar Species
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Juvenile
Note bill color differences on juvenile night-herons: dark on Yellow-crowned and pale yellowish on Black-crowned. Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Herons also have finer streaking and spotting than Black-crowned.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, July 25, 2017Similar Species
Green Heron
Adult
Green Herons are smaller with a thinner bill than night-herons. Adults are darker and more richly colored in green and reddish tones than Black-crowned Night-Herons.
© Simon Best | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, May 12, 2017Similar Species
Green Heron
Juvenile
Juvenile Green Herons are streaky like juvenile night-herons, but their neck is chestnut-colored. Green Herons are also smaller with thinner bills than night-herons.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, August 11, 2017Similar Species
American Bittern
Adult/immature
American Bitterns are larger with a longer, narrower bill and longer neck than night-herons. They are a lighter straw-brown and they do not have the white spotting of juvenile night-herons.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, October 11, 2009Main Species
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Adult (American)
Stocky and compact heron. Often tucks neck into its body creating a hunchbacked look. Adults have a black cap and back that contrasts with its whitish to pale gray belly and gray wings.
© Melissa James | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 06, 2016Juvenile
Thick-necked heron with a thick bill. Juveniles are brown and streaky overall. Note pale yellowish bill.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, August 19, 2016Adult (American)
Squat heron with hunchbacked posture, flat head, and fairly short legs.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 04, 2012Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles are brown overall with heavy blurry streaking on their neck and white spotting on their wings.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 16, 2016Immature (American)
Immature birds have a mix of juvenile and adult plumage. This individual has faint streaking on the chest, a dark gray cap, and a nearly complete dark gray back.
© Alex Lamoreaux | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 18, 2017Adult (American)
Flies with its neck tucked in with only part of its feet trailing behind. In flight, note pale underparts.
© Ignacio Zapata | Macaulay LibrarySanta Fe, October 21, 2019Adult (Dusky)
Residents in southern South America are darker brown overall with a gray cap.
© Marbry Hopkins | Macaulay LibraryTierra del Fuego, January 06, 2010Adult (Dusky)
Often stands motionless while watching for prey. Individuals in southern South America are darker below with a paler gray cap.
© Santiago Imberti | Macaulay LibrarySanta Cruz, November 10, 2016Habitat
Found in wetland habitats including estuaries, marshes, streams, lakes, and reservoirs.
© Daniel Jauvin | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, June 26, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: Ardeidae)
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