gray body; black crown and back of neck (South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Black-headed Heron
Ardea melanocephala

Native Range: Africa

Notes: a medium-sized heron of grasslands, scrublands, and marshes; slightly smaller than Grey Heron and with more black on the head and neck; little sexual dimorphism.

like all herons, folds neck onto shoulders in flight (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
landing; note the long legs, broad wings (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

shows white underwings and flanks in flight (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
tall and skinny looking (South Africa; 2007-06-30)