Based on 49,125 research-grade iNaturalist observations in California, Black-crowned Night Heron is most often recorded in April; in California it behaves like a year-round resident. It ranks #19 among birds recorded in the state in our data.
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night Heron in California by month
Bars show research-grade observations per month. They mix true seasonality with how often people are outdoors, so treat small numbers with caution.
Also seen in California in April
Mallard
House Finch
Anna's Hummingbird
Canada Goose
California Towhee
Mourning Dove
Red-tailed Hawk
California Scrub-Jay
Places to look in California
Botanical GardenThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
State ParkHearst Castle
Botanical GardenSan Francisco Botanical Garden
State ParkAnza-Borrego Desert State Park
National ForestAngeles National Forest
National ForestSequoia National Forest
FAQ
When does Black-crowned Night Heron appear in California?
Mainly March–February, with the most records in April.
How common is Black-crowned Night Heron in California?
It ranks #19 by number of iNaturalist observations among birds in California (49,125 records in our sample).