Nyctanassa

Nyctanassa
Yellow-crowned night heron (N. violacea)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Nyctanassa
Stejneger, 1887
Species

N. carcinocatactes (extinct)
N. violacea

See also: Nycticorax

Nyctanassa is a genus of night herons from the Americas, especially (but not exclusively) warmer coastal regions. They were formerly included in the genus Nycticorax, but today all major authorities recognize them as different.

The name comes from Ancient Greek words for "night" and "lady" or "queen", referring to the yellow-crowned night heron's nocturnal activity and its beauty.

Species

References