68. Black-crowned night heron (ಇರುಳು ಬಕ - Irulu Baka)

Black-crowned night heron - ಇರುಳು ಬಕ - Irulu Baka

The black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) (Kannada Name: ಇರುಳು ಬಕ - Irulu Baka), or black-capped night heron, commonly shortened to just night heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, except in the coldest regions and Australasia (where it is replaced by the closely related nankeen night heron, with which it has hybridized in the area of contact).

Types of Heron/Egrets species found in Mysuru:

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills. There are around 16 species found in Karnataka and I have found 8 in Mysuru

• Purple heron
• Great egret
• Grey heron
• Intermediate egret
• Little egret
• Indian pond heron
• Cattle egret
• Black-crowned night heron