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| − | [[Image:Black_Heron.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Steve+G|Steve G}} <br /> | + | [[Image:Black_Heron.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Steve+G|Steve G}} <br />Abuko, [[The Gambia]], March 2005]] |
;[[:Category:Egretta|Egretta]] ardesiaca | ;[[:Category:Egretta|Egretta]] ardesiaca | ||
| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 42-66cm | + | 42-66cm<br /> |
| − | + | *Black plumage | |
| + | *Yellow feet | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Sub-Saharan [[Africa]]: breeds widely but discontinuously from [[Senegal]] to [[Sudan]] and south, mainly through the eastern half of the continent, to [[South Africa]]. | Sub-Saharan [[Africa]]: breeds widely but discontinuously from [[Senegal]] to [[Sudan]] and south, mainly through the eastern half of the continent, to [[South Africa]]. | ||
| + | |||
Probably dispersive rather than migratory, perhaps nomadic in response to rains in some areas. | Probably dispersive rather than migratory, perhaps nomadic in response to rains in some areas. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:21502Black Heron 640x480 copy.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Seen in its typical hunting fashion<br />Photo by {{user|nkgray|nkgray}}<br />Marievale wetland, Gauteng, [[South Africa]], December 2005]] | |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Monotypic | + | Monotypic<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> |
| − | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Lake margins and riverbanks, tidal creeks and flooded grasslands. | + | Lake margins and riverbanks, tidal creeks, rice fields and flooded grasslands. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
This bird has a distinctive hunting method. It forms an umbrella with its wings and catches the fish which are drawn to the shade. | This bird has a distinctive hunting method. It forms an umbrella with its wings and catches the fish which are drawn to the shade. | ||
| − | |||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
The diet includes small fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans. | The diet includes small fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans. | ||
| − | |||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | The nest is | + | The two to four blue eggs are laid in a twig nest which is placed in a tree, bush or reed bed. |
| − | + | [[Image:29749Black Egret - Fishing.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|safariranger|safariranger }}<br />Olifants Bridge, [[Kruger National Park]], [[South Africa]], March 2003]] | |
| − | + | ==References== | |
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}#Wikipedia | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Egretta+ardesiaca}} | {{GSearch|Egretta+ardesiaca}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Egretta]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Egretta]] | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 12 November 2009
- Egretta ardesiaca
Identification
42-66cm
- Black plumage
- Yellow feet
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa: breeds widely but discontinuously from Senegal to Sudan and south, mainly through the eastern half of the continent, to South Africa.
Probably dispersive rather than migratory, perhaps nomadic in response to rains in some areas.
Seen in its typical hunting fashion
Photo by nkgray
Marievale wetland, Gauteng, South Africa, December 2005
Photo by nkgray
Marievale wetland, Gauteng, South Africa, December 2005
Taxonomy
Monotypic[1]
Habitat
Lake margins and riverbanks, tidal creeks, rice fields and flooded grasslands.
Behaviour
This bird has a distinctive hunting method. It forms an umbrella with its wings and catches the fish which are drawn to the shade.
Diet
The diet includes small fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans.
Breeding
The two to four blue eggs are laid in a twig nest which is placed in a tree, bush or reed bed.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black Heron. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black_Heron
