Beautiful bird on the Royal Palm reserve in Jamaica
Herons are long-legged wading birds, often called egrets or gaulins. Their necks have a typical S-shape due to the fact that the vertebrae (bones) in their necks are unequal in length. There are over 8 various species of herons within the Negril Great Morass and they can be seen at the reserve. The Black Crowned Night Heron is one of the most uncommon and unusual birds that resides in the overload forest. This bird has various different colours based upon its stage of maturity. It has a hunched over posture with its head tucked down into its shoulders and when standing is 23-28 inches and has a wing period of 45 inches. Its plumage (feathers) is gray and white with a distinct black cap and a set of white plumes that extend from the back of the head. The black feathers from the head and back emit a bluish-green gloss and the legs end up being red throughout the breeding season.
They nest in nests among reeds, mangroves, and ponds, in nest made of reeds, sticks or branches. The women lay 3-4 bluish-green eggs in between February and March and again in between June and July. Both the mom and the father nurture the eggs and after a period of 24 to 26 days the downy young hatches. The parents through regurgitation (raise chewed food in the stomach) feed the nestlings. After 6 to seven weeks the young leaves the nest to look after themselves.
The Royal Palm Reserve has been kept in mind by previous scientists and consultants as being possibly the most biologically varied location within the wetland. The endemic and worldwide threatened Morass Royal Palm tree and regionally endemic Grias cauliflora (Anchovy Pear) are the types that dominate the Royal Palm Reserve.
The development of ponds in the location has actually resulted in an increase of waterbirds populations.
There are over fifty various types of birds that inhabit the forest of the Negril Royal Palm Reserve. One of the biggest numbers of types is the West Indian Whistling Duck - over 200 of them.
Today, one hundred and fourteen (114) plant types consisting of among the largest stands of Royal Palms on the planet and over three hundred animal types, such birds, butterflies and reptiles can be discovered at the reserve.
An eco-friendly study was also carried out that year and over 3 hundred animal species were discovered, controlled by bugs consisting of many butterflies and dragonflies.
In addition to a number of types of endemic lizards and frogs together with freshwater turtles.
Like the whistling ducks, these herons are nighttime (feed only in the evening). While their other heron relatives are sleeping, they are up, taking care of fish, frogs, crustaceans and other small animals. It is said that they have extremely strong digestion acids that liquify the large bones of their 'catch'. Black crowned night herons are not sweet vocalists; they make a loud severe squawk or a loud crock, crock.
Royal Palm Reserve Birds. Black Crowned Night Heron.
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