Black-Crowned Night Heron

Black-Crowned Night HeronBy: Tabitha EdwardsFebruary 10, 2014Period: 3

Latin Name:Nycticorax nycticorax

Common Name:Black-Crowned Night Heron

Male and female take turns caring for the youngAdults are light-gray birds with a neatly defined black back and black crown, weigh 2 lbs

Immatures are brown with large white spots on the wings and blurry streaks on the under parts

Adults have all-black bills; immatures have yellow-and-black bills

Life History & Physical CharacteristicsReproductionSexually mature at 2 yearseggs are laid at 2 day intervals, beginning 4-5 days after pair formationIncubation lasts 24-26 days3-5 young per pair

Food & Water PreferenceOpportunistic FeederMainly FishLeechesEarthwormsInsectsCrayfishAmphibiansRodentsCarrionPlant MaterialsGarbage

Food & Water Preferencesprefers to feed in shallow watersgrasps its prey with its bill instead of stabbing it'bill vibrating'-opening and closing the bill rapidly in water, creates a disturbance which lures preyevening to early morning

Habitat

RangeTerritoryNestFeeding grounds

Ecology and BehaviorWhen feeding: plunges from the air onto water When walking: usually keeps its head and neck lowered rarely runsCrepuscular huntersGregarious

Predators

CrowsHumansParasites

None known

Diseases

Bird flu

Status & Cause for ListingDelaware: endangered Number and size of colonies have declined

Federal: not listed as threatened, endangered, or extinctall migratory birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Conservation Management NeedsHabitat construction and protectionNesting groundsWetlandsMonitor predators of young

Impacts to Ecosystem if EliminatedIncrease in herons prey species

ConclusionThe Black-Crowned Night Heron isMigratoryGregariousCrepuscularBeautifulUnique So we need to help protect their colonies to ensure that they can beautify Delaware for many years to come

Referenceshttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/black-crowned_night-heron/idhttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Nycticorax_nycticorax/#reproductionhttp://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/blackcrown.htmhttp://birds.audubon.org/species/blanig2

Thank YouQuestions?