Scientific Name: Nycticorax nycticorax
Malay Name: Pucung-Kuak Biasa
Chinese Name: 夜鹭
Range: Found worldwide except Australia and Antarctica with most northerly populations wintering south
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: nycticorax, hoactli, obscurus, falklandicus.
Local Subspecies: nycticorax
Size: 58-65 cm
Identification: Non-breeding adult has greyish-white overall plumage with contrasting black crown, mantle and scapulars, yellow legs/feet, whitish nape-plumes and mostly blackish bill. Breeding adult has glossed bluish-green mantle/scapulars and reddish legs. Juvenile is duller brown overall with white-spotted upperparts and streaked crown, head-sides and underparts.
Similar looking species: Striated Heron
Habitat: Marshes, mangroves and waterbodies near parks/gardens.
Behaviour/Ecology: Highly gregarious and mostly seen at dawn and dusk.
Local Status: Uncommon resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
Location: Sungei Buloh, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Pasir Ris Park, Lorong Halus, West Coast Park, Jurong Eco Garden, Jurong Lake Park and any suitable patch of habitat.
- Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Black-crowned Night Heron)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Nycticorax nycticorax. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22697211A155515762.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Black-crowned Night Heron. Retrieved on April 20, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/black-crowned-night-heron.