What does the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron eat?

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Carnivore (primarily crustaceans, especially crabs and crayfish)

How it forages

Primarily a nocturnal or crepuscular feeder, though it may forage during the day, especially when feeding young. It hunts by standing motionless or walking slowly in shallow water, waiting for prey to come within striking distance. Its diet consists almost exclusively of crustaceans, particularly crabs (fiddler crabs, blue crabs) and crayfish, but also includes insects, small fish, frogs, and mollusks.

When it feeds

Nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), but will forage during the day, especially during breeding season or when food is scarce.

Explore the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron