Family: ArdeidaeHabitat: Found in mangroves, swamps and marshes, lakes, rivers, lagoons, and other wetland habitats (A.O.U. 1998).
Distribution: Breeding range extends from southwestern British Columbia, Washington, southern Idaho, Montana, east-central Alberta, Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, the Great Lakes region, southern Quebec, and Nova Scotia south to Florida, the Gulf coast states, Baja California, and Mexico. Generally winters from Mexico, Baja California, the Gulf coast, and Florida north to western Washington, southern Oregon, southern Nevada, northern Utah, Colorado, southern Texas, the southern Great Lakes region, and southern New England (A.O.U. 1998).
Field Marks: Light gray wings and neck, white underneath. Black on crown and back. Compare immature with immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron; note comparatively shorter legs in flight.
Nest Habits: Breeds in colonies. Nest is placed 15-30 feet (and at the extreme, up to 160 feet) high in tree and is built of twigs, reeds, and branches.
Eggs: 1-7, usually 3-5; 52 millimeter; pale bluish-green in color.
Incubation: Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. Incubation usually lasts about 24-26 days, and young are able to fly when they are approximately 42-49 days old.
