Black-crowned Night Heron

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Black-crowned Night Heron in the UK

A scarce visitor from southern Europe, averaging around ten records a year, with a record showing in 2023. Wild birds arrive mainly in April and May, when migrants overshoot their breeding areas, with a smaller arrival in October and November. The first confirmed British breeding was on the Somerset Levels in 2017, when a pair fledged two young, and it is now treated as a species trying to establish itself. Escaped birds from collections also occur, mostly outside the migration periods.

Where and when to see a Black-crowned Night Heron

Spring records are concentrated in southern England, especially the south-west, but birds can appear at any wooded pond, slow river or reedbed edge with overhanging willows. By day they sit hunched in waterside trees and are easy to walk past. The time to look is dusk, when they fly out to feed. The reserves of the Avalon Marshes in Somerset are the likeliest area for repeat visits. News spreads through the bird news services, and birds often stay several days.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Wooded waterbodies.
Diet: Fish, amphibians.
Field note: Crepuscular; secretive.

How to identify a Black-crowned Night Heron

A compact heron about two-thirds the length of a Grey Heron, with a short thick neck, a stout bill and short yellowish legs. Adults are tidy: black crown and back, grey wings and tail, whitish face and underparts, a red eye and two or three long white head plumes. Juveniles are brown with bold white spots above and streaks below. In flight it is short and round-winged with only the toes showing beyond the tail, and can recall a large owl at dusk.

Call and song

A flat, barking 'kwok' or 'quark', given in flight at dusk and after dark. It is often the first sign that one is around. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Grey Heron: Grey Heron is far larger with a long neck and long trailing legs in flight.
• Bittern: A Bittern is bigger and golden-buff with fine dark barring, where a young Night Heron is grey-brown with large white spots on the wings.
• Little Bittern: Little Bittern is much smaller and shows large pale wing panels against dark flight feathers when it flies.

Related guide Bird migration in Britain.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Black-crowned Night Heron is a Rare tier bird, worth +8 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Cinereous VultureLegendary · Wooded hills
• Mandarin DuckUncommon · Wooded ponds
• Red KiteUncommon · Farmland
• Dartford WarblerRare · Lowland heath (S. England)

Black-crowned Night Heron: quick answers

Has a Black-crowned Night Heron ever been seen in the UK?

Yes, regularly. Around ten are found in an average year and 2023 set a new high. It has also nested: a pair raised two young in Somerset in 2017, the first confirmed breeding in Britain.

When is the best time to see Black-crowned Night Heron?

April and May, after warm southerly winds. Go to the site in the last hour of daylight and watch the tree line by the water. Birds that seem absent all day often climb into view and fly out as the light goes.

What does a Black-crowned Night Heron eat?

Fish, frogs, newts and large water insects, caught by standing still at the water's edge at dusk and through the night. It will also take small mammals and the chicks of other waterbirds.

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