Black Crowned Night Heron

On average, Black-crowned Night-Herons are 25 inches long and weigh 1.9 pounds, with a wingspan of 44 inches. With its short neck folded, the stocky Black-crowned Night-Heron has a hunched appearance. The adult's medium grey under-parts contrast with a black back, mantle, and crown. A white plume adorns the nape. The face is light grey fading to white around the large, red eyes and forehead. The stout legs, usually yellow-green, become pinkish at breeding time. Easily confused with Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, juvenile Black-crowneds are mostly grayish brown, liberally streaked and dotted with white, and distinguished by a black and yellow bill.