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Aug 8, 2011

Black-crowned Night Heron in Holland Marsh

BarrytheBirder photo
MMBlack-crowned Night HeronMM
Nycticorax nycticorax
The Black-crowned Night Heron is a nocturnal feeder and is most often heard at dusk.   The one above was feeding in the Holland Marsh, north of Toronto, during the noon-hour today as can be seen by its shadow, cast by the sun almost directly overhead.   I rarely seen this bird close to my home, because although it is common, it is also described as local.   That means it is very picky about where it likes to feed, find shelter, meet mates and raise young.   It is highly successful at living in marshes and shorelines and roosts in trees.   Although I rarely see one, it's not because it doesn't get around.   In fact, it ranges from Southern Canada to Argentina, Eurasia, Africa and the Pacific Islands.   I really must pay more attention.  
Please comment if you wish.
BtheB     

1 comment:

LivingInAurora.ca said...

Barry, I have not seen any yet, but fellow photographer captured photos of them on the new boardwalk linking the Newmarket and Aurora Nokiidaa trail, near the McKenzie Marsh boardwalk in Aurora. Beautiful bird in deed. Anna :)