A genus comprising the typical night herons. Also formerly (in form nycticorax): a bird of this genus.

Any of several North American birds of the heron family, esp. the green heron, Butorides virescens, and the American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus.

With allusion to the plainness of the dress traditionally worn by Quakers. Any of various birds with partly or wholly grey or brown plumage; spec.…

Any of various small, short-necked herons of the genera Nycticorax and Gorsachius, which are active chiefly at or after dusk; esp. (more fully black…

A night heron; esp. the black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax. Cf. quawk, n. 1.

= shitepoke, n.

Chiefly U.S. regional. The black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, which has a deep, hoarse call. Cf. qua-bird, n.

= nankeen night heron n.

U.S. (See quot. 1872.)