Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Black-crowned night-heron
French : Bihoreau gris

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ardeidae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to 65 cm in length for a weight of 1.1 kg. Black cap, back and upper wings. Long white crest plumes. Rest of plumage is light grey, turning white on sides of head. Subspecies with red legs when breeding.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in most of Europe, Asia and Africa. The species also occurs in most of America and Falkland Islands. Lives in all kinds of wetlands, coastal areas, even on kelp beds at sea, to 4800 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common to locally abundant and has an extremely wide range. Local declines have been noted because of habitat loss and pesticides.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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