Black-crowned Night Heron Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBlack-crowned Night Heron
Adult (American)
Stocky and compact heron. Often tucks neck into its body creating a hunchbacked look. Adult has 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. Juvenile is 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
Juvenile is brown overall with heavy blurry streaking on the neck and white spotting on the wings.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, July 16, 2016Immature (American)
Immature has 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, 2017Similar SpeciesYellow-crowned Night Heron
Adult
Adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron has darker gray underparts than Black-crowned Night Heron. Yellow-crowned Night Heron also has a bolder black-and-white head pattern.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, July 25, 2017Similar SpeciesYellow-crowned Night Heron
Adult
In flight the legs of Yellow-crowned Night Heron extend farther past the tail than the legs of Black-crowned Night Heron.
© Oscar Johnson / Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, June 11, 2017Similar SpeciesYellow-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 Heron also has finer streaking and spotting than Black-crowned.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, July 25, 2017Similar SpeciesGreen Heron
Adult
Green Heron is smaller with a thinner bill than night herons. Adults are darker and more richly colored in green and reddish tones than Black-crowned Night Heron.
© Simon Best / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, May 12, 2017Similar SpeciesGreen Heron
Juvenile
Juvenile Green Heron is streaky like juvenile night herons, but their neck is chestnut-colored. Green Heron is also smaller with a thinner bill than night herons.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, August 11, 2017Similar SpeciesAmerican Bittern
Adult/immature
American Bittern is larger with a longer, narrower bill and longer neck than night herons. American Bittern is a lighter straw-brown and does not have the white spotting of juvenile night herons.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, October 11, 2009Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: Ardeidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.