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| 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 - Found on marshes & shore, nests in trees |
| Night Herons & Bittern: Basic Characteristics - Medium to large wading birds - Usually seen standing in shallow water while hunting - Spears fish with long bills - Usually nests in trees or shrubs - Neck short & thick, extends when alarmed - Herons have plumes in breeding season - Sexes similar |
| 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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| American Bittern Photo by Sheldon Pollack |
| Black-crowned Night Herons Photo by Lou Buonomo |
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| Yellow-crowned Night Heron copyright Jim Roetzel |
| For more information on Night Herons & Bitterns, go to ENature.com |