Field Marks: 24 in. A grayish wading bird with a relatively short neck; found in all freshwater wetland habitats of the East, as well as in mudflats and tidal marshes. In flight, feet extend beyond tail. Chiefly nocturnal, but sometimes forages by day. Adults mainly gray, with black head, white cheek patches, and white crown; long white plumes on crown. Immatures brownish with white spots above and fine streaks below. In all plumages, bill is stout. Call a loud "kwawk" or "wawk".
Range: Breds from Minnesota and Ohio south to Gulf Coast, and from New England to Florida. May wander north to Canada. Winters on Atlantic and Gulf coasts from North Carolina.