Night Heron
Scientific Name: Nycticorax nycticoraxMaltese Name: Kwakka
Family: Bitterns and Herons (Ardeidae)
Occurence: Common Migrant
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Night Heron is handsome, medium sized heron most active at dusk. In flight its neck isn’t very visible as its very short. It spends the day hiding in trees and comes out at night to feed or to migrate. It has a very distinctive "quak quak" sound that can be heard from very far away. It is often seen in large flocks migrating in flock formations. It’s habitat is mainly of wetland where it feeds on frogs, fish, insects and small mammals. They nest in small colonies in trees. Juvenile birds are pale and brownish while adult birds have a black back and crown and whitish/grayish underparts.
Status and Distribution:
A common heron. Seen mainly in Spring and Autumn. Some singles are seen in the reserves and many flocks are seen both in the reserves and from anywhere, often seen roosting in wooded areas and then leaving at dawn or dusk.
When to See:
Spring and Autumn. Some spend the summer.
Where to See:
May be seen flying over in migrating flocks or singles from anywhere. Roosts in flocks in wooded areas during migration. Buskett, Simar and Mizieb are amongst their most common roosting spots.
Photographs:
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Adult Night Heron, Simar Nature Reserve |
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| Adult Night Heron Buskett | Juvenile Night Heron, Simar Nature Reserve |
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Night Heron flock, Buskett |
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| 5 Night Herons, Buskett | Flock of Night Herons leaving their roost, Buskett |
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Night Heron, Imgarr ix-Xini (Gozo) |
Watch a video of the Night Heron:
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