Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violaceus

Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are mainly active during the night or the half-light of predawn and post-sunset. Their diets consist mainly of crustaceans such as crayfish, which are stalked among the riffles that connect the long pools of Ozark streams. During the day they retire back into the bushes along streams, returning again in the evening to forage in more open areas of the stream.

Code Frequency

The vast majority of records for this species indicated only possible breeding. Due to the difficulty in finding nests, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were likely nesting in a number of the blocks in which they were seen. However, some sightings might have also resulted from post-breeding dispersal.

Distribution

Records from the Atlas Project suggest that Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are scattered but distributed statewide in appropriate habitat. However, of the 19 records for this species, 16 occurred south of the Missouri River. Fifty-three percent (10) of the records occurred in the Ozark Natural Division where the clear streams, abundant crayfish and streamside vegetation were a common mix. None were located in the northern 20 percent of the state from southern Linn County north, despite the fact that backwaters and wetlands in northern Missouri, especially in the floodplain marshes of the Big Rivers Natural Division, would be the most likely place to find this species. This secretive species is presumably much more widely distributed than indicated and specific habitat searches are needed to accurately determine breeding status.

Phenology

Records extended from May 20 to August 2, and an observation of fledglings provided the only confirmed record. Most nests were initiated in mid- to late May although the first spring arrivals may appear in early April (Robbins and Easterla 1992).

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 19 (1.6%) of 1,207 blocks

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