BirdsIn Butler County, Ohio
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea (Linnaeus, 1758)
Yellow-crowned Night Heron in all of Ohio- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Genus
- Nyctanassa
Conservation status
Of special interest in Ohio (Ohio Division of Wildlife, June 2026)
Ohio's Division of Wildlife names it as one at the edge of its range in Ohio, breeding here at low numbers. It is not listed as endangered or threatened.
Near Butler County
Range
Where it is recorded
Season shown in 0 of Ohio's 88 counties. Its mapped range covers 65. Explore Ohio
- No result yet (21)
- Within its mapped range (54)
- Recorded, too few records for a result (12)
- Recorded, season not shown (1)
- Season shown (0)
Counties as a table
| County | Records | In mapped range |
|---|---|---|
| Adams County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Allen County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Ashland County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Ashtabula County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Athens County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Auglaize County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Belmont County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Brown County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Butler County | 22 · Recorded, season not shown | Yes: migration |
| Carroll County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Champaign County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Clark County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Clermont County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Clinton County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Columbiana County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Coshocton County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Crawford County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Cuyahoga County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Darke County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Defiance County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Delaware County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Erie County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Fairfield County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Fayette County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Franklin County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Fulton County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Gallia County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Geauga County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Greene County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Guernsey County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Hamilton County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: summer, migration |
| Hancock County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Hardin County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Harrison County | Recorded, too few records for a result | No |
| Henry County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Highland County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Hocking County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Holmes County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Huron County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Jackson County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Jefferson County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Knox County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Lake County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Lawrence County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Licking County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Logan County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Lorain County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Lucas County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Madison County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Mahoning County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Marion County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Medina County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Meigs County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Mercer County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Miami County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Monroe County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Montgomery County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Morgan County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Morrow County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Muskingum County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Noble County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Ottawa County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Paulding County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Perry County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Pickaway County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Pike County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Portage County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Preble County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Putnam County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Richland County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Ross County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Sandusky County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Scioto County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Seneca County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Shelby County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Stark County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Summit County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Trumbull County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Tuscarawas County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Union County | Recorded, too few records for a result | Yes: migration |
| Van Wert County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Vinton County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Warren County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Washington County | No qualifying records yet | No |
| Wayne County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Williams County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Wood County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
| Wyandot County | No qualifying records yet | Yes: migration |
Season
When it is recorded
In Butler County
Not enough evidence
Most records come from a single year, so a season is not shown yet. Based on 22 records in 7 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025, above the minimum of 20 records from 5 different years.
Show over the bars
Records per week from 22 records in 7 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025. Shows when people recorded it, not a season or how common it is.
Show as a table
| Week | Records of Yellow-crowned Night Heron | Years recorded | Records of all species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 59 |
| Jan 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 104 |
| Jan 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 111 |
| Jan 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| Feb 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 62 |
| Feb 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 59 |
| Feb 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| Feb 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 117 |
| Mar 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 221 |
| Mar 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 224 |
| Mar 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 250 |
| Mar 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 250 |
| Mar 29 – Apr 4 | 0 | 0 | 464 |
| Apr 5–11 | 0 | 0 | 681 |
| Apr 12–18 | 0 | 0 | 911 |
| Apr 19–25 | 1 | 1 | 1,134 |
| Apr 26 – May 2 | 0 | 0 | 1,163 |
| May 3–9 | 0 | 0 | 1,117 |
| May 10–16 | 0 | 0 | 724 |
| May 17–23 | 2 | 1 | 681 |
| May 24–30 | 0 | 0 | 518 |
| May 31 – Jun 6 | 0 | 0 | 531 |
| Jun 7–13 | 4 | 2 | 605 |
| Jun 14–20 | 0 | 0 | 566 |
| Jun 21–27 | 2 | 1 | 545 |
| Jun 28 – Jul 4 | 0 | 0 | 622 |
| Jul 5–11 | 0 | 0 | 580 |
| Jul 12–18 | 1 | 1 | 658 |
| Jul 19–25 | 0 | 0 | 618 |
| Jul 26 – Aug 1 | 1 | 1 | 664 |
| Aug 2–8 | 3 | 1 | 710 |
| Aug 9–15 | 2 | 2 | 555 |
| Aug 16–22 | 3 | 3 | 856 |
| Aug 23–29 | 1 | 1 | 1,185 |
| Aug 30 – Sep 5 | 1 | 1 | 2,105 |
| Sep 6–12 | 1 | 1 | 2,341 |
| Sep 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 1,284 |
| Sep 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 1,693 |
| Sep 27 – Oct 3 | 0 | 0 | 1,744 |
| Oct 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 1,330 |
| Oct 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 1,154 |
| Oct 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 745 |
| Oct 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 955 |
| Nov 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 261 |
| Nov 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 265 |
| Nov 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 197 |
| Nov 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 187 |
| Nov 29 – Dec 5 | 0 | 0 | 103 |
| Dec 6–12 | 0 | 0 | 173 |
| Dec 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 84 |
| Dec 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 89 |
| Dec 27 – Jan 2 | 0 | 0 | 106 |
In Ohio
Mid-July to mid-September, middle week mid-August
Recorded in two separate seasons, each shown with its own early, middle and late weeks. An earlier season is not shown: most records are from one year.
This week · Nov 8–14
Show over the bars
Records per week from 61 records in 9 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025. Shows when people recorded it, not a season or how common it is.
Show as a table
| Week | Records of Yellow-crowned Night Heron | Years recorded | Records of all species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 6,211 |
| Jan 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 5,146 |
| Jan 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 4,645 |
| Jan 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 4,698 |
| Feb 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 6,023 |
| Feb 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 5,888 |
| Feb 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 5,436 |
| Feb 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 6,846 |
| Mar 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 8,321 |
| Mar 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 10,384 |
| Mar 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 12,620 |
| Mar 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 13,949 |
| Mar 29 – Apr 4 | 0 | 0 | 19,661 |
| Apr 5–11 | 0 | 0 | 26,860 |
| Apr 12–18 | 0 | 0 | 39,925 |
| Apr 19–25 | 1 | 1 | 41,623 |
| Apr 26 – May 2 | 1 | 1 | 56,391 |
| May 3–9 | 4 | 1 | 52,952 |
| May 10–16 | 0 | 0 | 53,785 |
| May 17–23 | 3 | 1 | 57,698 |
| May 24–30 | 1 | 1 | 54,651 |
| May 31 – Jun 6 | 0 | 0 | 53,099 |
| Jun 7–13 | 4 | 2 | 53,700 |
| Jun 14–20 | 3 | 3 | 56,625 |
| Jun 21–27 | 3 | 1 | 55,361 |
| Jun 28 – Jul 4 | 1 | 1 | 58,477 |
| Jul 5–11 | 1 | 1 | 61,336 |
| Jul 12–18 | 4 | 3 | 64,722 |
| Jul 19–25 | 3 | 2 | 69,753 |
| Jul 26 – Aug 1 | 3 | 1 | 59,416 |
| Aug 2–8 | 4 | 2 | 59,712 |
| Aug 9–15 | 5 | 2 | 55,994 |
| Aug 16–22 | 5 | 4 | 54,328 |
| Aug 23–29 | 4 | 4 | 51,772 |
| Aug 30 – Sep 5 | 2 | 2 | 57,167 |
| Sep 6–12 | 2 | 2 | 59,075 |
| Sep 13–19 | 6 | 3 | 54,543 |
| Sep 20–26 | 1 | 1 | 45,860 |
| Sep 27 – Oct 3 | 0 | 0 | 43,180 |
| Oct 4–10 | 0 | 0 | 37,841 |
| Oct 11–17 | 0 | 0 | 30,824 |
| Oct 18–24 | 0 | 0 | 21,156 |
| Oct 25–31 | 0 | 0 | 19,021 |
| Nov 1–7 | 0 | 0 | 14,172 |
| Nov 8–14 | 0 | 0 | 12,621 |
| Nov 15–21 | 0 | 0 | 7,965 |
| Nov 22–28 | 0 | 0 | 8,136 |
| Nov 29 – Dec 5 | 0 | 0 | 6,083 |
| Dec 6–12 | 0 | 0 | 6,004 |
| Dec 13–19 | 0 | 0 | 5,423 |
| Dec 20–26 | 0 | 0 | 5,661 |
| Dec 27 – Jan 2 | 0 | 0 | 8,459 |
What these results show
These results show when people recorded a species, not when or where it occurs. Missing weeks and low counts do not mean absence or scarcity, and counts are not abundance. Contributed records reflect where, when and what people chose to observe.
Identification
How to identify it
Look-alikes
When
Time of day
Land cover
Often confused with
- Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax1,260 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
- Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias372 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
- Green Heron Butorides virescens106 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
- Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea87 identifications worldwide named one where the other was meant
From iNaturalist’s similar-species counts, refreshed monthly: confusions in Ohio first, then worldwide. Only species with an Ohio result are listed.
Months not reported
- Jan: no record
- Feb: no record
- Mar: no record
- Apr: recorded
- May: recorded
- Jun: recorded
- Jul: recorded
- Aug: recorded
- Sep: recorded
- Oct: no record
- Nov: no record
- Dec: no record
Not reported in Ohio in October to March, 2016 to 2025.
Time of day it is recorded
midnight6 amnoon6 pm
From 61 Ohio records with a time. Most records are made when people are outside, so night and early-morning species are under-recorded.
Land cover where it is recorded
| Land cover | Its recordsAll Ohio records |
|---|---|
| Developed | 32%49% |
| Wetland | 32%5% |
| Farmland | 19%11% |
| Forest | 13%31% |
| Open water | 3%3% |
From 31 records placed within 100 m, beside all Ohio records placed the same way. People record where they go, so this shows where records come from, not where the species lives. Land cover: USGS Annual NLCD, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Sources
Where these results come from
- Records from iNaturalist research-grade observations and expert-identified GBIF datasets, CC0, CC BY and CC BY-NC. Sources
- Seasons use the published method and its evidence thresholds. Methods
- See it on iNaturalist (opens in a new tab)OpenPhenology is independent and not affiliated with iNaturalist.
Records behind the Ohio result
61 records from 2 datasets.
- iNaturalist Research-grade Observations (opens in a new tab) · iNaturalist.org · 54 recordsiNaturalist contributors, iNaturalist (2026). iNaturalist Research-grade Observations. iNaturalist.org. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ab3s5x accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-11-13.
- iNaturalist observations (opens in a new tab) · iNaturalist.org · 7 recordsiNaturalist. Available from https://www.inaturalist.org. Accessed 2026-11-13
To cite: the GBIF download doi:10.15468/dl.y2jkt8 (opens in a new tab).
A spreadsheet (CSV) with a link to each record, on iNaturalist or GBIF. Records whose location was hidden by the observer or the source are counted but not linked.