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Blue Star’s Seasonal Bird
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The Black-Crowned Night Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
Spring 2010 |
The Black-Crowned Night Heron is beyond doubt a "world citizen" with a range that spans five continents (see map below for green areas). It is the perfect example of birds having no boundaries. We, as humans, should embrace the idea of being without boundaries as well. For truly, we are all connected with the Source of all life.
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Click on speaker to listen to:
The Black-Crowned Night Heron
Below, the long occipital plumes of the Black-Crowned Night Heron make a striking display.
 
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A Bit About the Black-Crowned Night Heron...
The Black-Crowned Night Heron, as the name implies, is a bird becomiing active as night approaches, allowing it to hunt when it is too dark for most herons to catch prey. Therefore, it may not be often seen, although it is a fairly common resident of Trinidad's mangrove swamps. It can also be seen on the edge of salt water marshes before dawn and at dusk. The species can be found throughout most of North, Central and South America and the Carribean.
These striking birds have a black crown and back; white forehead, underparts and long occipital plumes. The wings, lower back and tail are grey. The legs and feet are yellowish.
The Black-Crowned Night Heron feeds opportunistically on small animals, usually fishes, amphibians, and invertebrates obtained in shallow water, but will also prey on small mammals and young birds on land. The bird below is hunting for earthworms in a soaking rain.
Although highly adaptable to a variety of habitats, the Black-crowned Night-heron is likely to use shallow marshes, most often within a grassland landscape.
In general, Black-crowned Night-herons are found in marshes, swamps, wooded streams, mangroves, shores of lakes, ponds, lagoons, in salt water, brackish, and freshwater areas. Foraging habitat is typically in the shallow, vegetated edges of these ponds, lakes, creeks, and marshes. This heron roosts by day in mangroves or swampy woodland. Nesting usually occurs in the same locality with other heron species.
In general, the breeding season of this colonially nesting species occurs May to September. The nest sites are highly variable, from the ground to 25 feet high in trees. Most colonies are located in large wetland complexes. Nests are composed of a platform of sticks, twigs, or reeds or whatever other material is nearby. In addition, they will also nest in wetland vegetation that allows them to nest over water or on islands that may afford them protection from mammalian predators.
The average clutch of pale, greenish-blue eggs is usually three to five. The eggs are laid asynchronously and hatch generally in the same manner. Incubation, performed by both sexes, lasts about 25 days. Young are tended by both sexes, and are capable of flight at about 42 days. The age of first breeding is usually at 2 to 3 years. This species nests in small to large colonies.
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Why Trinidad is "For the Birds"
Trinidad may be a relatively small Caribbean island, but it hosts a wide variety of bird species (over 400!) thanks to its many habitat types. These include tropical rainforest, mangrove swamp, and savannah. In addition, the real estate slogan “location, location, location!” applies, as its position is on one of the main routes for bird migration south from the North American winter, as well as some of those migrating north from the southern South American winter. Being less than 10 miles from the South American mainland, Trinidad also hosts many of the continent’s bird species. Over 40 species of birds have been recorded at (or over) the Blue Star Centre alone!
Who Cares About Birds?
“So, what’s so great about birds?” you might ask. While birds are delightful for their colorful plumage and beautiful songs, they also play an important role in the ecosystems they inhabit. Many birds are important to the control of insect and rodent populations. They are also useful in dispersing the seeds of a variety of plants. Some birds migrate for thousands of miles every year while some perform incredible acrobatic feats both in the air and under water. Their capabilities have taught humans a thing or two about how and where to fly. Birds are of commercial importance to humans, as well (whether we agree with their use or not) with regard to eggs and meat, plumage (ornamental and insulating), and the pet trade. Whatever you have thought about birds in the past, take a second look at (or listen to) our feathered friends. They are truly a Divine gift to be appreciated.
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