ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Yellow-crowned Night-heron

Yellow-crowned Night-heron

Photo by Richard Day/Daybreak Imagery

This extremely rare breeder is at the very northern limits of its distribution in Ohio. There are only a few known breeding locales, and all are very small.

Yellow-crowned Night-heron

Nyctanassa violacea

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 21-25 days

• Clutch Size: 2-4 eggs

• Young Fledge: 25 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: aquatic invertebrates and fish

• Ohio Status: Species of Special Interest

Description
Adults are quite distinctive, but immatures closely resemble young black-crowned night-herons. They can be separated by their much thicker, black bulbous bills, longer legs, and much smaller white speckling on the wings.

Habitat and Habits
Yellow-crowned night-herons sound similar to black-crowneds, but their calls are higher-pitched and not as harsh in quality. They are often associated with rocky streams or rivers and wetlands.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
These herons either nest singly or in colonies. Nests are made of sticks and are placed in a tree or on the ground.