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Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - A Black-headed Heron rests on a dead tree branch. The Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common throughout much of Africa south of the Sahara, and Madagascar. It is mainly resident but some west African birds move further north in the rainy season.

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.

It often feeds in shallow water, spearing fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill. It will also hunt well away from water, taking large insects, small mammals and birds. It will wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.

The flight is slow, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.