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Project Noah Nature School
Nyctanassa violacea
Adults are short-necked, short-legged and stout herons with a primarily brown or grey plumage, and, in most, a black crown. Young birds are brown, flecked with white. At least some of the extinct Mascarenes taxa appear to have retained this juvenile plumage in adult birds. Night herons nest alone or in colonies on platforms of sticks in a group of trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reedbeds. 3-8 eggs are laid. Night herons stand still at the water's edge, and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, and small mammals. During the day they rest in trees or bushes.
I do see them often here, just about every time I go out in the intercoatal or bay, I am lucky to see many birds when out kayaking, It always feels like the 1st time to me too, lol
Spotted on Oct 13, 2011
Submitted on Nov 2, 2011
+2
