Least Concern Birds

Black-headed Heron

Ardea melanocephala

Black-headed Heron hunts fish and amphibians near African wetlands and rivers.

Scientific name	Ardea melanocephala
Swahili name	Mswaki wa kichwa mweusi
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Ciconiiformes
Family	Ardeidae
Size	Male: approximately 70-85 cm, weight about 1.1-1.3 kg; female: slightly smaller in size, similar weight

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How to identify

Black head, gray neck and body; medium to large size, long legs; neck extended during flight; long, sharp bill suited for catching fish and small aquatic animals; overall darker plumage coloration

Habitat

Wetlands, swamps, river edges, water bodies near sparsely wooded savannas, agricultural irrigation areas

Diet

Carnivorous, primarily feeding on fish, amphibians, small invertebrates, and insects

When it is active

Mainly diurnal, more active at dawn and dusk

Where it lives

Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and Masai Mara National Reserve

How to spot it

Look for them at wetlands or shallow water areas at dawn or dusk, noting their distinctive black head and grey body

Photography tips

Use soft morning light for photography, capture feeding or flight behavior, use a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance

Threats

Habitat destruction, water pollution, and wetland degradation

Similar species

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), differs as the Black-headed Heron has a fully black head and darker body coloration, while the Grey Heron has a grey crown and lighter plumage

📖 how to spot the black headed heron on safari