YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

This yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea) was dozing away on a rock shelf inside a sink hole on the shore of Santiago Island (or James). Note the large eyes, typical of nocturnal creatures. It sleeps during much of the day. Even when I was within a few feet it barely noticed me, merely raising a lazy eyelid to let me know it was aware of my presence. The long feather, or aigrette, protruding from the back of the head gives the bird its name and is used as an alarm signal.