`The genus name Nycticorax derives from the Greek for "night raven" and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds, and the croaking crow-like, almost like a barking sound, call of the best known species, the black-crowned night heron`

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_heron

#Nycticorax

Black-crowned Night Heron

#Heron #BlackcrownedNightHeron #OceanCityNJ #Wildlife #Birds #Nycticorax

https://islandinthenet.com/black-crowned-night-heron-nycticorax-nycticorax/

As Bhavna and I were ready to leave the Ocean City Welcome & Information Center, we walked back on the path toward the parking area. I slowed down a bit to make sure I didn’t miss any of the birds I expected to find. I’m glad I did. I saw a Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) and I also saw a Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).

I also saw a Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). This bird, with its stocky build, black crown and back, grey wings, and a white-to-greyish body, stood out strikingly against the green of the leaves. Its stout black bill and notable red eyes gave it an almost spooky appearance. The red eyes reminded me of the eyes of demons and evil characters like the Sith in Star Wars.

The Black-crowned Night Heron, whose conservation status is imperilled (S2B, S3N) in New Jersey, US (NatureServe), is typically found in wetlands, marshes, and along shorelines, feeding primarily on fish, crustaceans, and insects. I did not see any Black-crowned Night Heron chicks. Perhaps, like the Yellow-crowned Night Heron chicks, they were well-hidden in the dense foliage or had already fledged and left the nest.

The atmosphere was serene, filled with the sounds of water, wind, and birdsong. In the distance, I could hear the hum of power boats and jet skis. Salt marshes are some of the world's most productive yet vulnerable ecosystems.

After we left the Welcome Center, I pulled up the location on Google Maps. Panning around the salt marsh, I noticed that the paved walkway extended north. Had we explored a bit more, we would have discovered a path to the other side of the Rookery with expansive views of the Great Egg Harbour Bay. I may have been able to get more incredible photographs of the birds foraging for food in the marsh. I need to make another trip before the birds move on.

https://islandinthenet.com/black-crowned-night-heron-nycticorax-nycticorax/

#BirdWatching #Birding #BlackCrownedNightHeron #Heron #Nycticorax #NycticoraxNycticorax #OceanCity #OceanCityWelcomeCenter #TheRookery

Up close with a black crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Olympus E-M1 II, Panasonic 100-300 II
100mm, f/4, 1/400s, ISO 400

#bird #birds #BirdPhotography #heron #NightHeron #nycticorax, #UrbanWildlife #photo #photography @birding