Black-crowned Night-heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

(N. n. nycticorax)

Armenian Name:	Կվակվա

See Plate 4 for Black-crowned Night-heron and other similar species

Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	58-65 cm, Wing Span:105-112 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 18.
Description:	Short thick bill.
Adult (Breeding):	Black and gray above, gray below; red eyes and orange legs. Conspicuous long white plumes extend from back of head.
Adult (Non-breeding):	Lacks head plumes; has yellowish legs.
Juvenile:	Brown and white with off-white spots on back and wings, streaked underparts, dull yellow legs, and yellowish bill with dark tip. With increasing age, birds become grayer and lose white spots above and streaking below.
Similar Species:	Immatures differ from Great Bittern by darker color overall with less distinct streaking on underparts.
Behavior:	Appears hunched when perched. Roosts in dense vegetation during day and hunts most actively at dawn, dusk, and during night.
Habitat:	Fish ponds, lakes, marshes, river banks.
Food:	Small fish, amphibians, aquatic insects.
Nest:	Colonial; platform in tree or reedbeds.
Eggs:	45 mm, 3-5, pale blue-green.