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black-crowned night heron

1. Bird Name
The Black-Crowned Night Heron, scientifically known as, Nycticorax nycticorax, is a fascinating species of bird. This bird is globally spread and represented by many subspecies.

2. Appearance
The black-crowned night heron is famous for its intriguing contrast of black and white feathers. Their body is mostly white or greyish, with its wings and back being covered in black feathers. The crown of its head also sports these black feathers. The bill is straight and strong, black at the top and yellowish at the bottom, designed for catching prey. The bird’s eyes are a captivating red color, a unique feature that distinguishes them within their species. There’s very little difference between males and females, though females are slightly smaller in size.

3. Size
On average, an adult black-crowned night heron measures about 64 cm (25 in) in length and 107 cm (42 in) in wingspan. They carry a sturdy body that weighs approximately 800 grams (1.7 lbs).

4. Habitat & Distribution
This species is found throughout a large part of the world, from North America, Asia to Europe and Africa. They are versatile in terms of habitat, preferring wetlands, marshes, shores, and vegetation-filled regions near rivers and ponds. They widen their habitats during breeding seasons to wooded areas.

5. Interesting Facts
– The black-crowned night heron does not mind sharing its territories with other species and often seen nesting in colonies with other herons and egrets.

– This bird gets its name due to its nocturnal habit of feeding at night when the water is calm and its prey is visible and accessible.

– In some cultures, they symbolize wisdom and longevity due to their vivid red eyes.

6. Diet
The diet of a black-crowned night heron includes a large variety of aquatic life such as fish, insects, worms, leeches, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, and even small mammals and birds.

7. Behavior & Sounds
They are nocturnal hunters with a stealth approach to hunting by standing still at the water’s edge and waiting patiently for unsuspecting prey. They may also hunt in shallow water, quickly grasping prey with their beak.

One unique behavior of the black-crowned night heron is that it sometimes practices “bill tapping,” where it quickly opens and closes its bill in the water to lure fish. Its call is a loud croak, usually uttered when the bird is disturbed.

8. Conservation Status
As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Black-Crowned Night Heron is a species of least concern. However, habitat destruction and pollution still pose a threat to their population.

9. Lifespan
The typical lifespan of the black-crowned night heron ranges from 15 – 20 years both in the wild and captivity, however, some individuals have been known to live up to 30 years in captivity.

10. Additional Notes
In Japan, the black-crowned night heron is called ‘Goisagi’. They have recorded interactions with humans; some are rural inhabitants, suggesting companies with fishermen, and others in urban areas suggest they have adapted well to human environments.

In ecosystems, black-crowned night herons play a crucial role in controlling the population of their prey, such as insects and small aquatic creatures. Furthermore, as they are widely spread, their population and health in a certain area can provide some indication of the condition of that ecosystem, making them an important bird for biodiversity monitoring.

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