Yellow-crowned night heron

Description:

This was a beautiful juvenile specimen with its long legs, white spots on its upper wings, white streaking on its long neck, stout bluish bill, and bright orange and black eyes.

Habitat:

This specimen of heron is found along the East Coast of the U. S. south of New York and throughout much of the Southeast U. S.

Notes:

This heron's behavior was characteristic of the species, as it was seen walking along mud flats on a creek that leads to brackish water. It was doing what herons do, hunting for crabs and small fish. This heron was seen when on a hike in First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia.