Kaelepulu Wetland - Home to Endangered Hawaiian Wetland Birds
'Auku'u ~ Black-Crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli
The 'Auku'u is a large bird, standing 26 inches tall with
a wingspan of 45 inches. They have a black cap, back and bill with a
soft gray chest and darker gray wings. Adult males in breeding plumage
have four to five long white head plumes and females have two to three
plumes. Juvenile herons look distinctly different and are brown with
white streaks.
The heron is active at night but also forages during the day, using a “stand
and wait” technique to catch fish, frogs and other aquatic life.
It has been known to prey on young chicks as well.
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