The genus name Nycticorax derives from the Greek for "night raven" and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds, and the croaking crow-like, almost like a barking sound, call of the best known species, the black-crowned night heron.

The black-crowned night heron was named the official bird of the city of Oakland, California.

[2] Adults are short-necked, short-legged, and stout herons with a primarily brown or grey plumage, and, in most, a black crown.

At least some of the extinct Mascarenes taxa appear to have retained this juvenile plumage in adult birds.

Night herons nest alone or in colonies, on platforms of sticks in a group of trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reedbeds.