Black-crowned Night Heron, a medium-sized heron species, was recently spotted at a local pond in Imphal, Manipur.
About Black-crowned night Heron:
- It is a medium-sized species of the heron family found in many parts of the world including Asia, North and South America, and Europe.
- Appearance: It has a distinctive black crown and back, contrasting with a white face and red eyes and short, thick black bill.
- Behavior: These birds are nocturnal and have active feeding habit during night.
- Habitat: It prefers wetlands, marshes, lakes, and ponds and nests in trees.
- Diet: It is primarily piscivorous, feeding on fish and aquatic invertebrates, sometimes small mammals.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
- Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972: Schedule 1
- Threats: Habitat loss due to urbanization and drainage of wetlands and water pollution.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What are the distinctive features of the Black-crowned Night Heron?
The Black-crowned Night Heron has a distinctive black crown and back, white face, red eyes, and a short, thick black bill.
Where do Black-crowned Night Herons prefer to live?
Black-crowned Night Herons prefer wetlands, marshes, lakes, and ponds, and they nest in trees.
What is the primary diet of the Black-crowned Night Heron?
The primary diet of the Black-crowned Night Heron is piscivorous, feeding on fish and aquatic invertebrates, and sometimes small mammals.
What is the conservation status of the Black-crowned Night Heron?
The Black-crowned Night Heron is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972.