Nankeen night heron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nankeen night heron |
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| Nankeen night heron, Sydney, New South Wales | |
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Nycticorax
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| Species: |
caledonicus
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The nankeen night heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) is a type of heron. It belongs to the Nycticorax group of birds. You might also hear it called the rufous night heron because of its reddish-brown color.
These birds are mostly active at night. They live in many different places. You can find them in forests, grasslands, and near water like shores and swamps. Nankeen night herons are about 55 to 65 centimeters long. They have rich cinnamon-colored backs and white undersides. Their population is stable. This means they are not in danger of disappearing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as a species of least concern.
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About the Nankeen Night Heron's Name
The nankeen night heron was first officially described in 1789. A German scientist named Johann Friedrich Gmelin gave it the scientific name Ardea caledonica. He based this name on notes from a "Caledonian night heron." This bird was seen in 1774 on the island of New Caledonia. This happened during Captain James Cook's second trip to the Pacific Ocean.
Later, the heron was moved to the group Nycticorax. This group was created in 1817 by Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster. The name Nycticorax comes from ancient Greek words. Nux means "night" and korax means "raven." It was used for a "bird of ill omen," maybe an owl.
The word "nankeen" in its common name refers to a pale-yellow cotton cloth. This cloth originally came from the city of Nanjing in China. The alternative name, "rufous night heron," is also used. "Rufous" means reddish-brown. This color describes the bird's feathers very well.
Nankeen Night Heron Subspecies
There are six recognized types, or subspecies, of the nankeen night heron:
- N. c. crassirostris: Found in the Bonin Islands (Japan). This subspecies is now extinct. It disappeared in the late 1800s.
- N. c. manillensis: Lives in the Philippines and northern Borneo.
- N. c. australasiae: Found from Java east to New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand.
- N. c. pelewensis: Lives in Palau and the Caroline Islands in Micronesia.
- N. c. caledonicus: Found on Grande Terre in New Caledonia.
- N. c. mandibularis: Lives in the eastern Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands.
What Does a Nankeen Night Heron Look Like?
The nankeen night heron is a medium-sized bird. Adult males are usually 55 to 65 cm long. Females are a bit smaller, about 55 to 60 cm. They weigh between 810 and 1014 grams. Their wings can spread out 95 to 105 cm wide. Males and females look very similar, except for their size.
Adult herons have a thick black beak. Their face is white with a hint of cinnamon. The top of their head is grey-black. During breeding season, they grow two or three thin white feathers from their head. These feathers hang down to their neck.
Their upper body is a rich chestnut color. This color becomes brighter during the breeding season. Their underside is white. The chestnut and white colors blend on their neck and upper chest. Their eyes are straw yellow. They can turn orange during breeding. Their legs and feet are creamy yellow. These can become bright pink when they are looking for a mate.
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Young nankeen night herons look different from adults. The top of their head is black-brown with beige stripes. Their chin and upper throat are white. The rest of their neck has many brown stripes. Their tail is rufous-brown. Their legs and feet are lime-green to olive-grey. Their beak is a dull olive-yellow with a black tip.
Baby nankeen night herons (chicks) are covered in dark brown fluffy feathers on their back. Their undersides are white. They have cream-colored beaks with dark grey edges. Their legs are olive green.
Nankeen Night Heron Sounds
Adult male nankeen night herons make a "qu-arck" sound when they leave their resting spot at night. Females and younger herons make a higher-pitched "qu-ook" sound. If they are disturbed while resting, they make a short, deep "quock."
When flying, they make a hoarse, croaking "quok." If they are feeding in a group, they make a harsh croak. Their warning call is a "rok" sound. They use this when many herons are together.
Baby herons make a "kak-kakkak" call for the first two weeks. This helps them get their parents' attention for food. They also squawk when they argue with each other. Young herons that have left the nest but cannot fly yet make a loud, high-pitched screech if they are scared.
Where Nankeen Night Herons Live and Their Home
Nankeen night herons live in many places. You can find them in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. They also live in Java, New Caledonia, Palau, and the Caroline Islands. They are common in most parts of Australia.
These herons live in many types of places. This includes grasslands, forests, lagoons, beaches, and swamps. They especially like areas near rivers and streams. They prefer habitats with plants growing out of the water.
Since they are mostly active at night, they rest during the day. They hide in thick trees, bushes, or reeds. In open areas, they might rest in dead trees. In cities, they often nest and rest in cypress and pine trees. They can also be found in city wetlands, gardens, and parks.
Nankeen Night Heron Behavior
Nankeen night herons are almost completely nocturnal. This means they are active mostly from dusk until dawn. They usually leave their resting spots shortly after the sun sets. They are generally alert, even when resting. However, they can be vulnerable to other animals that hunt them when they are feeding. Despite this, their population is stable and widespread. There are no special efforts needed to protect them right now.
Some nankeen night herons in Australia move during winter. They also move during big events like floods or heavy rain. These birds migrate north for the season. Some even go as far as Papua New Guinea or New Zealand. Other groups of nankeen night herons do not move much at all. They stay in one place.
When a male nankeen night heron feels threatened, it stands up tall. It makes harsh sounds or snaps its beak. This shows it is ready to be aggressive. If another bird gets too close, it might point and snap its beak. It might also wave its wing while crouching. There are no records of female herons acting this way.
Nankeen Night Heron Reproduction and Life Cycle
Nankeen night herons can breed all year round. However, their main breeding season is from October to May in Australia. In Java, it's February to June, and in the Philippines, it's February to May. The timing of their breeding also depends on how much food is available.
They usually build their nests in thick trees. They can also nest in marshes and swamps. If there are no plants, they might build nests in caves or under rocky overhangs. They often breed in large groups with other bird species. These groups can include ibises, cormorants, and spoonbills.
Their nests are loosely built with sticks. They are usually 20–30 cm wide and 3–4 cm tall. This is just big enough to hold their eggs. Nests built on the ground might just be a ring of sticks. This stops the eggs from rolling away. The male birds collect the sticks. The females arrange them in the nest. Nest building can happen both day and night.
The eggs are a pale green-blue color. A female usually lays two to five eggs. The average egg is about 51.50 mm long and 37.20 mm wide. The eggs hatch after about 21 days. Both parents help to sit on the eggs and care for the young.
Baby herons are born helpless. They leave the nest about six to seven weeks after hatching. The chicks are aggressive towards all adults, even their parents, who come near the nest. They might leave the nest after about two weeks. Then they come back to be fed. By the third week, they are fed away from the nest.
What Nankeen Night Herons Eat and How They Find Food
Nankeen night herons mostly eat animals that live in water. This includes freshwater invertebrates, crayfish, crabs, and fish. They also eat sea turtle babies. Crayfish seem to be their favorite food. They also eat frogs, lizards, mice, and insects. These insects include crickets, water beetles, and dragonfly larvae.
Baby herons start begging for food within hours of hatching. At first, they get liquid food. After a few days, they get semi-solid food. Young herons are fed mouth-to-mouth by their parents. Later, the adults bring food back to the nest. They spit it up for the chicks to eat.
Nankeen night herons usually look for food at night and in the morning. They walk slowly in shallow water, looking for prey. They can also dive into deep water from a perch to catch food. Even though they are mostly nocturnal, they also feed during the day in breeding season. This makes sure there is enough food for their babies.
Nankeen Night Heron Conservation Status
The nankeen night heron is not considered a vulnerable species. This means it is not in danger of becoming extinct. The IUCN Red List says its population is stable. Its numbers go up and down, but they are not decreasing. It has a very large population size. It also lives in a huge area, covering about 31,600,000 square kilometers. Because of these reasons, the nankeen night heron is listed as a species of least concern.
Images for kids
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Adult at Fremantle Harbour
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Adult in flight at Lake Monger
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Juvenile visiting the little penguin enclosure at Melbourne Zoo
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Juvenile perched on fallen tree
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Nankeen night heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)
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