The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is a medium-sized heron of coastal areas and inland wetlands, distinguished from the Black-crowned Night-Heron by its black-and-white head pattern with a yellow-buff crown. It specializes in catching crustaceans, particularly crayfish, which its heavy bill is adapted to crush. It is more diurnal than the Black-crowned.
Habitat
Coastal marshes, mangroves, swamps, and stream banks
Diet
Crayfish, crabs, and aquatic invertebrates
How common
Common
Recent Yellow-crowned Night-Heron sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free