GAP Analysis Predicted Distribution Map

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Species Code: NYNY

Legend:
= Core Habitat
= Marginal Habitat

Breeding Range Map
The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. The habitats were identified using 1991 satellite imagery, Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA), other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis Project. Habitats used during non-breeding months and migratory rest-stops were not mapped.

Metadata (Data about data or how the map was made)

Click to enlarge distribution map

Map with Breeding Bird Atlas records

Other maps & Information:

Breeding Bird Atlas
NatureMapping observations
during breeding season
NatureMapping observations
throughout the year

This species is locally common in the wetlands of eastern Washington at low elevations. They are mostly limited to the central and southern Columbia Basin, but occur locally elsewhere in the Basin. Black-crowned Night Herons were formerly widespread in southeastern Washington, but now they appear to be limited to the Walla Walla River area. Their northern breeding range in eastern Washington is presently northern Douglas or southern Okanogan County. This species is a very rare breeder in the western Washington lowlands of the Puget Sound Trough; there was a confirmed breeding record from the vicinity of Stanwood during the BBA period. There were also breeds in small numbers in Yakima County at Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge and Selah.

Good habitats in the core areas of use included freshwater wetlands in steppe zones, but the range was limited to areas where recent breeding was likely. This species habitat was not modeled in western Washington.

Local experts consider this species a common breeder at McNary National Wildlife Refuge and uncommon as a breeder along the Walla Walla and Touchet Rivers, and creeks flowing through Walla Walla. Elsewhere in southeastern Washington, this species is not known as a breeder. Along the Yakima River this species is local.

Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Bird Volume by Uchenna Bright
Text edited by Gussie Litwer
Webpage designed by Dave Lester