NIGHT HERONS & BITTERN

Black-crowned Night Heron

- Stocky body about 23-28" tall

- Short legs, short-necked

- Thick, heavy bill

- Black back & black cap, with pale gray or whitish underparts

- Eyes red, legs yellowish in color

- Often sits hunched & inactive in trees during day

  1. -Found on marshes & shore, nests in trees

  2. -- Immatures are browns speckled

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

- Chunky body, 22-28" tall

- Thick, heavy, short bill (thicker than Black-crowned)

- Black & white face pattern (pale yellow on crown not usually seen)

- Body all gray

- Orange eyes, yellowish colored legs

- Found in swamps, marshes & streams

American Bittern

- Stocky body about 23" tall

- Brown in color overall with strong striping below

- Shows black stripe on neck

- Blends into marsh grass and often stands with bill pointing upward, imitating & blending with weeds

- Thick, sharp bill

- Found in marshes & reedy lakes

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