Black Heron
A species of Typical Egrets Scientific name : Egretta ardesiaca Genus : Typical Egrets
Black Heron, A species of Typical Egrets
Botanical name: Egretta ardesiaca
Genus: Typical Egrets
Content
Description General Info
Description
The black heron is a medium-sized (42.5–66 cm in height), black-plumaged heron with black bill, lores, legs and yellow feet. In breeding plumage it grows long plumes on the crown and nape.
Size
66 cm
Feeding Habits
Black Heron consumes mainly small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. It hunts using a unique Canopy Feeding technique both diurnally and at dusk, sometimes forming flocks. It also features cooperative feeding with other bird species.
Habitat
The black Heron is commonly found in shallow freshwaters like lakesides, rivers, ponds, marshes, and flooded plains, including man-made habitats such as rice paddies. It also inhabits alkaline lakes, mangroves, and tidal flats. Geographically, this species occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa and has been spotted in parts of Southern Europe. It thrives in both inland and coastal wetland areas, ranging from sea level up to 1600 meters in Zambia and even higher elevations in Ethiopia.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
The black heron occurs patchily through Sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Sudan to South Africa, but is found mainly on the eastern half of the continent and in Madagascar. It has also been observed in Greece and Italy. It prefers shallow open waters, such as the edges of freshwater lakes and ponds. It may also be found in marshes, river edges, rice fields, and seasonally flooded grasslands. In coastal areas, it may be found feeding along tidal rivers and creeks, in alkaline lakes, and tidal flats.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Pelicans and Relatives Family
Herons Genus
Typical Egrets Species
Black Heron