Black-headed Heron

Ardea melanocephala

Grasslands. Grey body with black cap, hindneck and flight feathers. Bill and legs grey.

Bitterns, Egrets, Herons

Not Endemic

Description

Common resident. Differs from the superficially similar [Grey Heron] in entirely black (or dark blue-grey) cap and back of neck, and slate-grey bill and legs. In flight told by black and grey underwings. immature greyer than immature of [Grey Heron]; bill and legs pale grey (not yellow). Occurs singly or in scattered groups in grassland (especially pastures), grassy road verges, farmlands and marshes. Seldom feeds in water but roosts and breeds in trees or in reeds over water.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Water-associated birds with long bills and necks and long legs. When breeding, many species have long, filamentous plumes on their back or lower breast (or both), while others have more or less permanent long plumes on their napes. In flight, they tuck their heads into their shoulders, thus differing from storks, ibises and cranes. They seldom soar. Many herons are solitary in habit and secretive; others are gregarious and seen more frequently. Most perch in trees and nest in trees or reeds, or even on the ground. All have harsh, squawking voices heard mostly when flushed. Four comparative silhouettes represent (a): Dwarf Bittern; (b): Squacco Heron; (c): Little Egret; and (d): Grey Heron.