'Auku'u Black-Crowned Night Heron Diet

'Auku'u, Black-Crowned Night Heron, feed on frogs, crustaceans, crayfish, fish, and the chicks of other birds. The 'Auku'u is an expert at still fishing, It sits motionless in the water waiting for its prey. 'Auku'u hunt in the early morning hours and at dusk. With a quick stabbing motion they grab chicks of other birds and swallow them whole. It takes about two minutes for the 'Auku'u to swallow a chick. They have been seen eating the chicks of the endangered Ae'o, or Hawaiian stilt. Aquaculture farmers consider the 'Auku'u a threat to the shrimp and small fish in their ponds.

The 'Auku'u prefer shallow water so that it can grasp its prey with its bill instead of stabbing it. The 'Auku'u strongly defends its territory. It will sometimes attract its prey by rapidly opening and closing its beak in the water. This causes a disturbance which attracts its prey.

'Auku'u also swim while searching for food. It eats whatever is most plentiful at the time and place. 'Auku'u are nocturnal, or night birds, and can be very noisy. They usually feed at night. The 'Auku'u's digestive acids are so strong that bones swallowed simply dissolve in their stomachs. They also have a great appetite. They digest their food so rapidly that they are always ready for more.