Night Heron (sub adult) - http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordiesbirdies/
The Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, except in the coldest regions and Australasia.
Description[]
Adults are approximately 64 cm (25 in) long and weigh 800 g (28 oz). They have a black crown and back with the remainder of the body white or grey, red eyes, and short yellow legs. Young birds are brown, flecked with white and grey. These are short-necked and stout herons.
Distribution[]
The breeding habitat is fresh and salt-water wetlands throughout much of the world. Night Herons nest in colonies on platforms of sticks in a group of trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reedbeds. Three to eight eggs are laid.
This heron is migratory in the northernmost part of its range.
Behaviour[]
These birds stand still at the water's edge and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night or early morning. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals and small birds. During the day they rest in trees or bushes.
Gallery[]
