The Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is found on all continents except for Australia and Antarctica. It is the most widespread heron in the world - inhabiting both fresh and saltwater wetlands.
Its Latin name means "Night Raven". A fitting name as it spends most of its day near water sitting motionless on snags or in the branches of trees. As dusk, it awakens to spend the night foraging and feeding. Its call, a raspy "wok", sounds similar to a crow or raven.
They are very social birds that nest in colonies. They eat a wide variety of foods including fish, frogs, insects, small mammals and birds, and crustaceans.
While their numbers have rebounded since the banning of DDT, they may be threatened as climate change alters their breeding habitat.
