Common name: Black-crowned Night Heron
Scientific name: Nycticorax nycticorax
Family: Ardeidae

Size:
Body length: 58–65 cm
Wingspan: 105–112 cm
Weight: 700–1000 g

Identification:
A stocky, medium-sized heron with a short neck and compact posture. Adults are distinctive with a black crown and back, pale grey wings, and white underparts. The eyes are red, and the bill is thick and dark. During the breeding season, long white plumes extend from the back of the head. Juveniles are brown and heavily streaked, quite different from adults.

Habitat:
Wetlands, marshes, mangroves, lakes, rivers, and coastal lagoons. Prefers areas with dense vegetation and roosting sites.

Status in the UAE:
Common resident and winter visitor. Widely distributed in wetlands and coastal habitats.

Status in Lebanon:
Common resident and passage migrant. Found in wetlands across the country.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, and small vertebrates.

Behavior:
Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular. Spends the day roosting in trees or dense vegetation and becomes active at dusk. Hunts by standing still at the water’s edge or moving slowly before striking. Often nests in colonies.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)