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Project Noah Nature School
Nyctanassa violacea
This is a stocky heron that, contrary to it's name, forages in the day time as well as at night. It has a distinctive black and white face with about two yellow plumes on its head.
This bird lives and hunts crustaceans that are abundant in marshes and other lowlands. It nests in trees that are over water.
According to Sibley and AllAboutBirds, these are rare on the West Coast of the US where I saw this one. It's in a protected marsh called Famosa Slough (https://www.famosaslough.org/).
Spotted on May 22, 2023
Submitted on May 28, 2023
1 Comment
Way cool Ava. Hope to spot one of these my next time in San Diego even though I see they are rare. Thanks for sharing.