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BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON  Nycticorax nycticorax 56–64cm.

Chunky, mainly nocturnal heron often seen during the day in varied fresh and

brackish wetland habitats, from lakes in town parks to mangroves. Hunts along

edges and in shallow water, waiting and stalking slowly for fish. Roosts mainly

in trees, often not deeply hidden, at times with or near Yellow-crowned Night

Herons. Rather compact in flight, with short foot projection past tail tip, cf.

longer-legged, more lightly built Yellow-crowned. Adult plumage distinctive.

Juv./1st-year from Yellow-crowned by shape, especially pointed bill, shorter

legs, coarser pale streaks on upperparts (vs. pale spots and fringes to feathers).

Cf. Boat-billed Heron. 2nd-year like duller, browner version of adult. At height of breeding, adult lores

become black, legs flush bright salmon-red. SOUNDS: Flight call a gruff barking worhk! or wahk, with

rising inflection. Other low guttural calls when nesting and disturbed. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly

common Sep–Apr on both slopes, locally to 1500m; more local in summer, breeding mainly in nw.

lowlands and Central Valley. (Worldwide except Australasia.)

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON  Nyctanassa violacea 51–59cm. Mainly

nocturnal but often seen during the day, in varied brackish and freshwater

habitats, especially mangroves, along rivers. Main food is crabs, and regularly

hunts away from water, as in coconut plantations and on open beaches. Roosts

mainly in trees, often not deeply hidden. More lightly built than Black-crowned

Night Heron with stouter blackish bill, longer neck, longer legs; in flight, feet

project well past tail tip. Adult distinctive. Cf. Juv./1st-year Black-crowned

(nestling Yellow-crowned has yellow at bill base, soon darkens). 2nd-year like

duller, browner version of adult. At height of breeding, adult lores become

black, legs flush bright salmon-red. SOUNDS: Flight call a slightly grating owhr or kyowh, higher and more

nasal than Black-crowned, typically with more downward inflection. Low guttural clucks when nesting

and disturbed. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, especially nw. lowlands; more

widespread Sep–Apr when n. migrants present, rarely to 1400m. (Americas.)

*BOAT-BILLED HERON  Cochlearius cochlearius 46–53cm. Distinctive noc­

tur­nal heron of fresh and brackish marshes, lakeshores, coastal lagoons, slow-

moving rivers, mangroves; spends the day roosting, well hidden in trees; tends

to leave roost later than night herons. Hunts at night along shorelines and in

shallow water. Flight direct with slightly stiff wingbeats emphasizing the

upstroke, subtly distinct from steadier bowed wingbeats of night herons. Note

very broad bill with distensible pouch, big dark eyes. Slightly smaller and more

compact than Black-crowned Night Heron, with shorter toe projection in

flight; adult has contrasting black underwing coverts. Juv. lacks pale spots and

streaks of juv. night herons. SOUNDS: Usually silent in flight at dusk. At roost when disturbed, and when

nesting, utters varied clucks and chatters, often with chuckling cadence, such as kuh-kuh kuk-kuh ku-kah.

STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon in coastal lowlands on both slopes, locally inland to 800m.

(Mexico to S America.)