This adult Black-crowned Night Heron is truly in its own paradise ! This reference photo of mine was taken in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort where they have a variety of birds and even penguins.
This was also taken at the Hilton resort and gives a closer view to observe the color of the feet and bill, etc., of an adult. Their eyes are very red. The male is usually taller than the female, about 26 inches in height with a wingspan of 45 inches.
The above two photos were taken months apart at Ala Moana Beach Park on Oahu and show young herons not quite - but almost- in adult plumage. Here they were feeding on minnows. Their diet varies greatly including frogs, mice, insects, and various fish. Sometimes they catch and eat baby and small adult birds.
This juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron posed for me at the botanical gardens at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu. Hawaii recognizes this heron as Indigenous, and it was first taken note of by Captain Cook in 1778 on the island of Kauai. It is known as 'Auku'u in Hawaiian and is very similar to all Black-crowned Night Herons which breed on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
Below is a recent painting of mine. I took the reference photograph of the heron in the tree on the island of Kauai in broad daylight. There was no moon present. I used a lot of artistic license in this painting.
"By The Light Of The Moon - Black-crowned Night Heron"
10" x 8" oil on museum quality gessobord
Available
