I spotted this bird on a short trip to New Jersey in a pond near the ocean. New Jersey is in the breeding area of the yellow-crowned night heron. The Merlin app identified these birds as yellow-crowned night herons. I believe this is the first time I have seen this bird.
The adults are grey with a black head and large white cheek patch, and a creamy yellow crown that sometimes appears more white.
According to All About Birds they are a wading bird that eat: marsh crabs, fiddler crabs, ghost crabs, mole crabs, mud crabs, blue crabs, lady crabs, green crabs, rock crabs, and toad crabs. They also eat mussels, insects, scorpions, frogs, tadpoles, fish, small snakes, turtles, young birds, and small mammals.
Juvenile
Juveniles are brown with white spots on the back and wings. The legs are yellow to orange yellow.
I saw the juvenile near the adult. When the adult went to the top of the bank, the juvenile followed shortly thereafter and stood near it. I did see some juvenile herons in a rookery, but could only see their heads and part of their bodies so I am not sure if they were black-crowned or yellow-crowned night herons. Happy Friday!
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 
Your write-up is both informative and warmly personal—it perfectly balances field observation with researched detail.
I especially enjoyed how you paired your first-time sighting excitement with the careful description of both adult and juvenile yellow-crowned night herons.
By including their diet, habits, and behavior you’ve painted a vivid picture that lets the reader almost see the birds through your eyes.
It’s a delightful blend of nature enthusiasm and birding knowledge—an inspiring share for any wildlife lover.
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Thank you! I am more into observing the wildlife. Many birders know a lot more than me, but don’t linger. They are more into head counts, checking off this bird or that off the list. I enjoy watching their behavior.
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I think that juvenile looks like me when I was a teenager! 🙂 Wonderful photos and narrative.
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Ha! We all have those days!
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Nice!!
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Nice images Sharon. All juveniles (humans included) at one time or another exhibit the “bed head” hair style.
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Some of us adults have the bed head at times as well. 😆
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Lucky you! I love seeing these herons. The photo of the bedraggled juvenile is priceless and it really made me smile. Thank you!
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You hang around them enough you see their personalities. On my short trips to NJ I got to see a few birds I have never seen before. Herons are cool to watch. They are very patient when hunting for fish, crabs etc.
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👍
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