The breeding habitat is fresh and salt-water wetlands throughout much of the world. The subspecies "N. n. hoactli" breeds in North and South America from Canada as far south as northern Argentina and Chile, "N. n. obscurus" in southernmost South America, "N. n. falklandicus" in the Falkland Islands, and the nominate race "N. n. nycticorax" in Europe, Asia and Africa. Black-crowned night herons nest in colonies on platforms of sticks in a group of trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reedbeds. Three to eight eggs are laid.