Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Ciconiiformes
FAMILY: Ardeidae
SIZE:
22 - 28 inches in length
RANGE:
Southern U.S., Central, and part of South America along coasts
HABITAT:
Coastal areas and islands; in Louisiana, in cypress
DIET:
Wild - Mainly land crabs which it catches, kills, and breaks into pieces to eat
Zoo - Soft billed diet and fish
DESCRIPTION:
Chunky grayish bird with black head, white cheek patches, whitish yellow crown
More speckled than Black-crowned Heron with a shorter bill and longer, more yellowish legs
FACTS:
Can skillfully kill all species of crabs with the exception of the large white crab and hermit crab
The large white crab, at 14 inches and 1 lb., is too large and strong
The hermit crab retreats into a shell and is safe from the bird
STATUS:
Not threatened; reintroduced into areas where it is exterminated; range expanding
REFERENCES:
"Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia," Vol. 7 Birds 1, Dr. Bernhard Grzimek
"Common Birds of Louisiana," Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
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