Black-crowned Night Heron

'''Habitat:''' Worldwide. Found in various wetland habitats, including salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes, swamps, streams, lakes, and agricultural fields.

'''Habitat:''' Worldwide. Found in various wetland habitats, including salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes, swamps, streams, lakes, and agricultural fields.

While populous and widespread, there are threats nonetheless to this species in some areas. This species is threatened by wetland drainage and destruction and by drought in wintering areas. It is highly susceptible to pesticides such as organophosphates, carbamate and DDE (a breakdown product of DDT) which negatively affect hatching success. There are also cases of genetic damage to chicks as a result of petroleum contamination. The species is susceptible to avian influenza and Newcastle disease so may be threatened by future outbreaks. It is also persecuted (anti-predation killing) at aquaculture facilities due to its depredation on fish stocks, and has suffered declines due to the exploitation of chicks from nesting colonies in the past. Chicks of the species are still taken for food in some areas (e.g. Madagascar) and adults are hunted and traded at traditional medicine markets in Nigeria.

While populous and widespread, there are threats nonetheless to this species in some areas. This species is threatened by wetland drainage and destruction and by drought in wintering areas. It is highly susceptible to pesticides such as organophosphates, carbamate and DDE (a breakdown product of DDT) which negatively affect hatching success. There are also cases of genetic damage to chicks as a result of petroleum contamination. The species is susceptible to avian influenza and Newcastle disease so may be threatened by future outbreaks. It is also persecuted (anti-predation killing) at aquaculture facilities due to its depredation on fish stocks, and has suffered declines due to the exploitation of chicks from nesting colonies in the past. Chicks of the species are still taken for food in some areas (e.g. Madagascar) and adults are hunted and traded at traditional medicine markets in Nigeria.

Adult Black-crowned Night-Herons apparently do not distinguish between their own young and those from other nests, and may brood chicks not their own.

Adult Black-crowned Night-Herons apparently do not distinguish between their own young and those from other nests, and may brood chicks not their own.