Black-headed Heron

Black -headed heron (Ardea melanocephala )

The Black -headed heron (Ardea melanocephala ) is a wading bird of the heron family. He is often seen in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. He is predominantly a state bird, some of the West African population draw but during the rainy season in more northerly regions.

The Black -headed heron reaches a height of 85 cm and has a wing width of 150 cm. It is therefore almost as big as the Great Blue Heron, which it resembles in appearance, though he is mostly colored darker. The plumage is dark gray on the body top, the underparts a light gray.

The Black -headed heron breeds in colonies in trees close to water or in reed beds. In areas where even the gray heron occurs, they occasionally form mixed breeding colonies. The nest consists of two to four eggs which are incubated in 25 to 28 days.

Unlike the purple or the gray heron of the black-necked heron hunts also like from the water. He eats besides fish and frogs, small mammals and other birds. Frequently you can watch him as he lies in wait motionless for prey.