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Black-headed Heron
Ardea melanocephala
-2.41621, 34.6856
Field Notes
Description:
The Black-headed Heron is a large bird, standing 85 cm tall, and it has a 150 cm wingspan. It is nearly as large as the Grey Heron, which it resembles in appearance, although it is generally darker. Its plumage is largely grey above, and paler grey below. It has a powerful dusky bill. This species usually breeds in the wet season in colonies in trees, reedbeds or cliffs. It builds a bulky stick nest and lays 2–4 eggs.
Habitat:
Although populations of this species breeding in the equatorial zone of Africa are largely sedentary other populations are partially migratory and move in relation to the timing of the dry seasons1. The species nests in small mixed-species colonies of up to 200 pairs with breeding activities peaking during the rains1. The species is usually a solitary forager, but may occasionally congregate into loose feeding flocks1, 2 and commonly roosts in groups of tens to hundreds of individuals2. Individuals may travel over 30 km daily between preferred feeding grounds and roosting sites1. Habitat The species inhabits marshes1, 3 with reed and papyrus beds1, 4, the margins of rivers and lakes, estuaries1, coastal creeks3 and flats2, temporary pools3 and natural savannas or artificial grasslands2 including damp open pastures, moist grassland and cultivated land1.
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