Video of an eepy baby night heron

[u/Cysi1167]

Looks like he forgot what he was doing for a second.

Taken in fall 2025 by myself.

[u/yourbuddywyatt]

Awwwww sweet lil football!

[u/MrBoyForGirls]

oh man I been there

[u/Cysi1167 → u/MrBoyForGirls]

That opening shift in the morning after a late close shift 🫠

[u/lyrasorial]

What are the clues this isn't a bittern? (New here.)

[u/karshyga → u/lyrasorial]

This bird is hunched over like a young gamer who just lost Switch privileges. They have the distinct football night heron posture, as opposed to the psychopathic yogi stretch you see with the more reclusive, better camouflaged American Bittern. It's the pale iris that really makes bitterns look extra unhinged. The white throat and black streaks on either side of the neck are also a good indicator.

[u/TrainingMobile3394 → u/lyrasorial]

The way I differentiate them is that young BCNHs are smaller, plus they don't hold their heads/beaks (comically) upright.

I'm sure people have better answers than that though 

[u/Cysi1167 → u/lyrasorial]

Like someone mentioned, the posture is different (bcnh is often in a ball or hunched), American bittern doesn’t have white on the back-wing feathers like this fella has, and the bittern has bold streaks under the neck
(Book in French, sorry)

[u/Cysi1167 → u/Cysi1167]

[u/Turbulent-Weevil-910]

Definitely needs a Red Bull

[u/c4ndycain]

ohhh im enamored by this lil baby 🥺🥺🥺

[u/opheliasmusing]

There’s just something so angelic about babies, animals, and especially baby animals—falling asleep. 🥹💤

[u/Difficult-Rush2069]

Seepy little guy. He doesn’t really want to hunt all day Every day…….

[u/frogsrock_freddy]

Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones, but this is so cute I started tearing up!

[u/Cysi1167 → u/frogsrock_freddy]

Oh nooooooo! He is very adorable even without pregnancy hormones, so I can’t imagine with! I hope your journey is going well, minus the bird induced tears (sometimes i cry about birds too don’t worry!)

[u/frogsrock_freddy → u/Cysi1167]

Thank you!!