Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Small, stocky, short-billed, short-necked, and short-legged when compared to other herons, egrets and bitterns. Most active at night, roosts during the day. Occupies various wetland habitats including marshes, wooded swamps and forests along rivers and streams. The adult has a black cap and back, pale gray wings, whitish underparts and a red eye. Juveniles are gray-brown with spots and streaks.

This Black-crowned Night-Heron had a broken wing that was starting to mend incorrectly. After surgery and rehabilitation, it was released on private property where there is a stream that has plenty of fish and frogs for it to eat.