These Night Herons were young, the youngest looking around for small crabs was just learning to be on his own.

I make this point because there are two different species, but at this age with their ‘camouflage’ it’s tricky to tell at first glance.

Black-crowned Night Heron

Shorter neck and bill. Their head is shaped a little more elongated.

The beak is slightly darker and they have a green tint to the lore. In generally the more ‘compact’ of the two.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

This one was in the canal at low tide looking for small crabs. The bill is darker, head circular, and chest pattern different.

The Yellow-crowned here was younger, and in a bad placement for me so I give this caveat… there’s not much difference yet so it’s a ‘best I can do’ ID.

The last image here makes me a little confident a baby Yellow-crowned. Adults of both species are completely different.

ACE Basin, South Carolina.