One of the more cooperative Night Herons I have seen.
I walked by this bird several times and he stayed there.
I have published a close up of him previously.
This is a Black-crowned Night Heron in the juvenile brown coloring.
Juvenile Night Heron Staring Back
I always love it when they stay nearby, sometimes even strolling along the boardwalk railing like the Tri-coloreds do. The adults near us tend to stay back in the trees more than the juvies – I assume maybe the young Night Herons just haven’t yet figured out this whole “people” thing yet!
I think you may be right. There are a few Night Heron rookeries near us where adults are less shy also. At least during breeding time.