Black-crowned Night Heron
The pictured Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) was photographed on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Most active at night (thus their name) they normally search wetlands for food beginning at dusk through the night until dawn. But occasionally night herons are active during the day. Main meals are comprised of fish, lizards, clams, snakes, birds, insects and other creatures.