Free Computer Desktop Wallpaper Wall Paper Travel Photos Africa African Safari African Wildlife Animals Ardea melanocephala Ardeidae Bird Watching Birds Birdwatching Black-headed Heron Dark Continent EAC East Africa East African Community Eastern Africa Egret Endless Plain Fauna Nature Outdoors Safari Serengeti National Park Style Sub-Saharan Africa Tanzania Tanzanian Safari United Republic of Tanzania Vertical Wildlife Stock Photos Fine Art Prints Image Licensing Stock Photography Photographs Fotos Pictures Pics Pix Images

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - 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.