Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Kent Fiala photographed these Yellow-crowned Night-Herons on 23 July 2006 at the New Hope Creek waterfowl impoundment in Durham County, NC.
Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are listed as Rare in the Triangle Area, but have been present at this spot for at least the last two years.
Some of the field marks for distinguishing juvenile Yellow-crowned from Black-crowned Night-Herons are visible in these two birds: All black bill (no yellow on lower mandible), fine (not large) white spots on wing coverts, fine (not broad) streaking on underparts. More upright posture and longer neck are also mentioned as differences.