Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

Reasonably common in swamps, wet woods and coastal shrubs, where it roosts in trees. It is found in the east of the USA during summer and along the coast of southern states in winter, and down into Central America. It is largely a nocturnal feeder, hunting fish and otherr small animals in the shallows.


Normally difficult to get a good view of, this bird was near to a path in the Ding Darling Refuge in Sanibel Island, Florida.

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The pale cheek helps distinguish this species from the Black-crowned Night Heron.
Ding Darling Refuge in Sanibel Island, Florida.

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Ding Darling Refuge in Sanibel Island, Florida.

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