Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax Violacea)
- HABITAT - Yellow-crowned Night-Herons arefound in salt marshes, mangroves, swamps, and other wetland areas. They are more common in the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of South America. Some populations are migratory, moving to warmer climates during winter.
- DIET - Their primary diet consists of crustaceans, especially crabs and crayfish. Their sharp, strong beak is well-adapted for breaking crab shells. They are also opportunistic feeders and may also eat fish, insects, amphibians, and small reptiles. As the name suggests, they are active mostly at night and during twilight, but they can also forage during the day.
- FACTS - Unlike many herons, they specialize in eating crustaceans and are known to adapt their feeding behavior based on tidal patterns. Their bright yellow crown feathers make them easily distinguishable from other night herons.
