yellow-crowned night heron

The yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is a type of night heron found in the southern United States and South America. Night herons, in general, have thicker bills and shorter legs than typical herons and are more active during twilight and nighttime hours.12

Herons are long-legged wading birds belonging to the family Ardeidae. They are found worldwide, with a higher concentration in tropical regions. Herons typically hunt for food in shallow waters, catching fish and frogs. They build nests of sticks, often in colonies called heronries, located in bushes or trees near water.2

While most herons feed during the day, night herons are primarily active at dawn and dusk. The yellow-crowned night heron is one of several species of night herons, which also include the black-crowned night heron and the boat-billed heron.2