The black-crowned night heron or black-capped night heron, commonly shortened to just night heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, including parts of Europe, Asia, and North and South America. In Australasia it is replaced by the closely related Nankeen night heron, with which it has hybridised in the area of contact.
Region
Worldwide (Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia)
Typical Environment
Occurs across a vast range wherever suitable wetlands exist, including lakes, marshes, rivers, estuaries, mangroves, and coastal lagoons. It readily exploits human-altered habitats such as reservoirs, canals, fish ponds, and rice paddies. Roosts by day in trees, reedbeds, or dense shrubs near water. In Australasia it is largely replaced by the Nankeen night heron, though contact zones and rare hybrids are recorded.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A cosmopolitan, nocturnal heron, it is most active at dusk and night and is often detected by its distinctive 'quok' call. It breeds colonially, sometimes alongside other herons and egrets, and shows remarkable adaptability to wetlands in urban and rural landscapes. Adults have striking red eyes and in breeding season sport elegant white head plumes. It has been known to hybridize locally with the Nankeen night heron where ranges meet.
At nest
Adult black-crowned night heron of subspecies N. n. obscurus showing grey plumage.
Juvenile in an "upright" threat display
Temperament
secretive but social in colonies
Flight Pattern
steady, direct flight with deep wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies, often mixed with other heron species, nesting in trees, shrubs, or reedbeds over or near water. Pairs are largely monogamous within a season; both sexes build the nest and share incubation. Outside breeding, it may roost communally and forage singly or in loose groups.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Typical vocalization is a harsh, croaking 'quok' or 'wok,' often given in flight at dusk or night. At colonies, a variety of grating croaks and clucks are used for pair communication and nest defense.
