Turtlesinger, Inc.


is a Federal 501(c)3 Public Charity - New Jersey Charities Registration # CH2998200
Mission Statement: To educate and entertain the public about turtles with original songs and/or live turtles.



June 21, 2020



Happy Father's Day!



Note: Before we get into today’s blog about yellow-crowned night herons, I just wanted to tell those of you who wondered about the last blog and the video of the baby sea turtles: yes, the barrier was lifted and they all got to run down the beach into the sea! I was the first in a line of volunteers to hold flashlights to light the way (sea turtle hatchlings follow the light) and they all ran through the tunnel of our legs as we stood and watched them go: it was totally awesome!


OK, back to today and Father’s Day: Happy Father’s Day, Dad! This yellow-crowned night heron is getting ready to raise a family, as you can see by the eggs! All of today’s blog photos and video were taken at the incredible rookery at the Ocean City, New Jersey, Welcome Center. For a shot of both proud yellow-crowned night heron parents, scroll down…



June 21, 2020



Happy Father’s Day to the Father (and Mother)!



The Father yellow-crowned night heron is slightly larger than the mother, and he usually chooses the spot and starts to build the nest for her. But then they work as a team to decide where to build the nest, and although the Father begins to bring nesting material for the mother, they eventually work as a team again to build the nest. Nest-building is an active part of their courtship. To see what hatches out of the eggs, scroll down…



June 21, 2020



He’s a Father!



Both Father and mother yellow-crowned night herons feed their young, taking turns gathering food and guarding the nest. Chicks eat “family-style” in the nest from a pile of food vs. being fed individually. Although the chicks do not recognize their parents and would take food from any adult, the Father and mother do recognize their chicks, driving away other offspring and refusing to feed the others. Finally, for VIDEO of the chicks, scroll down…



June 21, 2020



Happy Father’s Day from 4 chicks!



This yellow-crowned night heron family reminded me of my own family since I am one of 4 kids in my family and it looks like this mother and Father raised 4 chicks! Great work, Dad!


Like their name implies, they can hunt at night and like to feed their young at night.


To see VIDEO of the chicks ONE WEEK LATER, scroll down…



June 21, 2020



They Grow So Fast…



When watching this video: wait for one of the chicks to yawn! You can see that the chicks will outgrow the nest soon! We watched the parent(s) stand over the nest with outstretched wings for long periods of time, shading their chicks from the sun. The chicks leave the nest 36-42 days after hatching, walking around the nests for another 3 weeks, then starting to take short flights by the 6th week. Between the 7th and 11th week, they can fly. Yellow-crowned night herons love to eat, among other things: crabs! Today’s question is: What other kind of night heron is The Turtlesinger’s favorite? For the answer, see the blog for May 31st and/or push the Feedback button on the right to give your answer. Again, Happy Father’s Day to this happy family, to all the Dads out there today, and thanks as always for reading.





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turtlesinger@hotmail.com | Phone: (609) 205-9248