Night herons come to Long Island during the summer and autumn seasons, and can be found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats including marshes, shores, ponds, and rivers. These herons are unique compared to regular herons due to their nocturnal habits. These birds are active around both dusk and dawn to hunt for food. They are equipped with sharp, stout bills that are used for catching a variety of food, including fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and insects. Along with their impressive bills, these magnificent birds also exhibit gray, black, and white feathers to help them blend in their habitats. Long Island has two different species of night heron that populate aquatic habitats.
The black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is the most widespread species in the night heron family, and are known for their black crown, gray wings, and white underparts. Additional features include red eyes and yellow legs that help them stand out compared to regular herons in the wild. Black-crowned night herons build stick nests in trees over water during the breeding season.
Another night heron found on Long Island is called the yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) which are found only in the eastern United States. Yellow-crowned night herons are known for their striking yellow crown, and similar to the black-crowned night heron, they have gray wings and white underparts. The diet of the yellow-crowned night heron mainly consists of crustaceans and crabs compared to the black-crowned night heron which feeds on fish. Yellow-crowned night herons also nest in trees over water in the breeding season.
Whether you’re driving along Dune Road or taking a walk at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, keep an eye out for these beautiful birds.
by Aden Ali, Westhampton Beach High School Senior