Stocky and compact heron with a blocky head and thick neck. Adults have a boldly marked black-and-white head with a yellow crown, though the yellow can be hard to see depending on lighting conditions. Note gray underparts.
Juveniles are brown and streaky overall with fine streaking and spotting. Note the hefty black bill.
Thick-necked and relatively short-legged heron with a thick, all-dark bill.
Immatures take 3-4 years to attain adult plumage. Immatures are browner overall than adults with an adultlike head pattern that develops over time. This individual is starting to show a whitish cheek patch.
Flies with neck tucked in and feet trailing behind, sticking out past the end of the tail.
Males perform a neck-stretching display for females by slowly raising and quickly retracting their head while fanning their long shoulder plumes. Females sometimes reciprocate displays.
Compact heron with an upright stance; often stands with its neck tucked in. The bold head pattern and yellow crown are distinctive.
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Yellow-crowned Night Herons are fairly small herons with stocky bodies and short, thick necks, and short legs. They have large, blocky heads with thick, relatively short bills. In flight, the wings are broad and rounded.
Larger than a Cattle Egret; smaller and stockier than a Great Egret.
between crow and gooseHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns(Order: Pelecaniformes, Family: Ardeidae)
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