Black-headed Heron

Appearance

In this case, the entire back, the upper side of the wings, the back of the neck and the back of the head are uniformly covered with this black color. The head, neck, chest and also the underside of the wings are white, but they do not have any ornamental feathers or patterns. Only the males often have black ornamental feathers on the back of the head, which taper to a point and are advantageous for courtship. Another striking feature of the Black-headed Heron is the piercing yellow eyes, with which the bird can see very well, which is particularly important for hunting. Finally, the body measurements should be mentioned, with the body length of the heron being between 70 and 80 centimeters and the wingspan reaching a maximum width of 140 centimeters. It should be noted that the male animals are usually larger than the females, although these measurements also depend on the habitat.

Habitats of the Black-headed Heron

Shallow water surfaces or moist meadows are important for the Black-headed Heron, where it can easily and safely catch prey with its long beak. The bird's diet includes both fish, as well as amphibians and smaller mammals. Furthermore, the habitat should also offer some hiding and breeding opportunities in the form of trees or higher rocks. The heron finds particularly good conditions in southern Africa, but also in some areas of East and Central Africa. The birds also exist in other regions of the world. However, these are mostly migratory birds that spend the winter in Africa. The Black-headed Herons living on this continent are extremely consistent and remain faithful to their territory, unless they have no choice but to move on in search of food.