Black Crowned Night Heron

This heron is ubiquitous around most of the globe.  It is very common in the Esteros del Ibera especially when we are flooded.

One of the notable features of this species is its red eyes along with its long white nape plumes.  As the name suggests they have a black crown as well as back and bill.  The underparts are generally greyish white.  They have shortish yellow legs and are often seen perched in trees.  The juveniles look very different with brown streaked breasts and speckled backs.  They do not appear to have a long neck like mosts herons except when hunting, when they extend their necks.

They are known as Garza Bruja in Argentina.