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BayFly · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 10:18 am Post subject: Barking bird at Dusk?

We have several medium sized birds(20-30) which seem to live in some large Live Oak trees near our home and each day at dusk they began slowly barking like a very small dog then after a few minutes began flying toward the GOM, one at a time, while continuing to bark until they are all gone. I say bark, because I've never heard another bird make a similar sound. The first time I heard them I began looking for a small dog and what it was barking at. The birds are dark in color and because we only see them at dusk I have not noticed any color other then they appear brown. I plan to spot light them this evening and possibly photograph them to learn more. If any of you know more about these birds please share your knowledge. The only information I have been able to find about a bird making a similar sound referenced a Nighthawk, but they appear to have more color then the birds I'm referencing.

Sinker · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 2:09 pm Post subject:

The only bird I can think of is Black Crowned Night Herron.
I say that because they roost during day time and feed at night. Twilight is when the take off one at a time.
You might look up a photo to compare with the mystery bird.

BayFly · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Sinker! I googled Black Crown Night Herron and was corrected in it's spelling, due to it having only one r in Heron. Maybe the spelling is different in different areas. I was able to spot light a couple of them tonight very close and their breast is light, but not white, as shown in at least one photo, but there were other photos of herons like the ones I'm seeing. I was able to listen to some recordings on google and it helped a lot in confirming the birds we are seeing and hearing are the Black Crown Night Heron. I appreciate your help in identifying the herons. In at least two of the Texas bird references we have the referenced bird is not shown or listed.

Sinker · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:33 am Post subject:

You are very welcome.
Good catch on my spelling error with heron.
If this is a location where my wife and I can observe some evening please PM me with details.

BayFly · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:46 am Post subject:

After reading more and viewing more photos it appears the birds we are seeing are immature Black Crown Night Herons, possibly with an adult mixed in, but without more observation I'm not sure there are adults present. They don't all fly in the same direction, thus some can't be observed at all. I waited too late last night to view the greater mass of them and only observed a couple of what must have been the last of the flight.

justcruisin · Finger Mullet Joined: 19 Feb 2019 Posts: 15

All of the herons

justcruisin · Finger Mullet Joined: 19 Feb 2019 Posts: 15

BayFly · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:22 am Post subject:

The above pictured heron is said to be an immature one from what I have read. Their colors change to the black crown and white belly when they are older, so the story goes.

Sinker · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2020 5:58 pm Post subject:

You are correct on immature bird. The mature birds have not changed into their prime breeding plumage yet so not that black head with white tassels.
Have you searched the forage with spotting scope?

BayFly · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 11:51 am Post subject:

I think the immature Black Crown Night Herons have relocated. I still hear them occasionally and see them flying at dusk, but they are no longer leaving from the trees across from us. At least not in the numbers we were seeing just a few days ago. Makes me wonder if the coming cooler weather has them going further South? BTW, no spotting scope here. Cool