A small heron new to the Seychelles, first seen here in 1992 when a single wind-blown vagrant bird landed on Mahé. More birds followed and around 1996 they started breeding here. Today, small breeding populations occur on several islands. The black-crowned night heron seems to have colonised Seychelles successfully with no help from man, in only a few years. The black-crowned night heron is most active at night and therefore it’s less conspicuous than most other herons.
As its name suggests, adults have a glossy, black cap that extends down the upper back, while the rest of the body plumage generally ranges from white to ashy grey. The nape has two to three long, white plumes reaching up to 25 cm in the breeding season. Black-crowned night herons build nests communally in the tops of trees, sometimes alongside other herons. In the evening, groups of birds leave to feed, making a quacking call as they fly. They hunt in shallow freshwater streams, marshes and mangrove areas, and grassy places, mainly by night. These birds stand still at the water’s edge and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night or early morning. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals and small birds. During the day they rest in trees or bushes.
Facts:
Scientific Name: Nycticorax nycticorax
Creole name: Manik Lannwit
Wingspan: 105-112cm.
Population in Seychelles: Unknown; tens or hundreds of birds.
World Distribution: Europe, Africa, North and South America.
Distribution in Seychelles: Breeds Mahé, Praslin, Silhouette, Cousin and perhaps other islands; seen on many islands.
Habitat: Freshwater wetlands, mangroves.
Nests: Communally, in trees.
Eggs: 3-5, pale blue-green.
Diet: Small fishes, frogs, insects, skinks, crabs, eggs, chicks and even adults of other birds.
Identification: A small heron, most active in the evenings. Adults have a very black crown and back, two to three long, white plumes, grey wings and a body.
See more
Species Fact Sheet at BirdLife Data Zone
(Photo credit: Dao Nguyen)