| Common Name | Yellow-crowned Night-Heron |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nytanassa violacea |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 07/14/2024 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Nathan Dansereau |
| Mailing Address | 2052 Rt 73 E Sudbury, VT 05733 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 07/29/2024 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | None |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 43.80899 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -73.15090 |
| Place Name | Champlain St (Rt 73) |
| Township | Sudbury |
| County | Rutland |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 08:50 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | Approx 7 min |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 125 feet |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 120 feet |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Clear, no precipitation of fog. No wind |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Nikon Monarch 8x42 |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | I have seen immature and mature yellow crowns before south of VT. I have on a couple occasions seen black crowns and yellow crowns together for comparison. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Marsh, with open water sections adjoining Otter Creek. Swamp area to the north. |
| Behaviors Observed | While observing great blue heron this bird flew up from cattails to land on bare dead tree snag. First on branch then moving up to top of snag. It was motionless, grooming, and looking around at different times during observation. |
| Description of Vocalizations | None |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | When the bird first was observed i knew it was a night heron based on size and shape. As in too large to be a green heron but not long legged enough to be a great blue. My initial feeling was yellow crowned but studied the bird and then checked myself using Sibley app on my phone. Everything fit for yellow crowned juvenile: longish neck, slight white color to cheek below eye, thick dark bill, small white spots on dark wing edges, narrow distinct streaks on neck and chest. I tried creeping closer to get a cell phone photo after observing for some time. It flew west a very short distance and dropped into the vegetation. I looked for it again the following day with other birders but not seen. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Larger then green heron, and smaller then great blue heron. Distinct yellow-crowned night-heron shape. |
| Head | Red eye, brown streaks on throat, slightly whitish cheek patch |
| Feet & Bill | Yellow legs and feet, legs long but not a long as great blue |
| Upper Back | Dark brown |
| Lower Back & Rump | Dark brown |
| Wings | Fairly large wings, small white spots and thin light edges |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | Breast dark brown narrow streaks |
| Tail | Short squarish tail |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | As said in most above comments. From the second i saw it i was comparing this bird with black-crowned night heron. I was certain it was a night heron upon first sighting. While black-crowned are seen in Vermont and have not known of that species at this location that i bird frequently either. The overall shape and colors made the decision clear that it was a yellow crowned and this bird was very cooperative so i hade time to study it. |
| Other Notes & Comments | I similar bird had been seen 8 days before on Champlain so possible that this is the same bird. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Immediately After |
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