black-crowned night heron

[ blak-kround ]
/ ˈblækˌkraʊnd /

noun

See under night heron.

Origin of black-crowned night heron

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Definition for black-crowned night heron (2 of 2)

night heron

noun

any of several thick-billed, crepuscular or nocturnal herons of the genus Nycticorax and related genera, as N. nycticorax (black-crowned night heron), of the Old and New Worlds, and Nyctanassa violacea (yellow-crowned night heron), of America.

Origin of night heron

First recorded in 1775–85

British Dictionary definitions for black-crowned night heron

night heron

noun

any nocturnal heron of the genus Nycticorax and related genera, having short legs and neck, a heavy body, and a short heavy bill