Black-headed heron: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Species of bird}} |
{{Short description|Species of bird}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} |
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{{Speciesbox |
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{{speciesbox |
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| name = Black-headed heron |
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| image = Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala).jpg |
| image = Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala).jpg |
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| image_caption = [[Mikumi National Park]], [[Tanzania]] |
| image_caption = [[Mikumi National Park]], [[Tanzania]] |
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| image2 = Ardea_melanocephala,_roepe_by_kolonie,_6s,_2017-10-03_18h20,_Bellary-gasteplaas,_a.mp3 |
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| image2_caption = Calls at dusk at a heronry |
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| status = LC |
| status = LC |
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| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Ardea melanocephala'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T22697008A93598165 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22697008A93598165.en |
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Ardea melanocephala'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T22697008A93598165 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22697008A93598165.en}}</ref> |
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| genus = Ardea |
| genus = Ardea |
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| species = melanocephala |
| species = melanocephala |
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| authority = |
| authority = [[John George Children|Children]] & [[Nicholas Aylward Vigors|Vigors]], 1826 |
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| range_map = Ardea melanocephala map.svg |
| range_map = Ardea melanocephala map.svg |
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| range_map_caption = Distribution map of Black-headed heron |
| range_map_caption = Distribution map of Black-headed heron |
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The '''black-headed heron''' (''Ardea melanocephala'') is a wading bird of the [[heron]] family [[Ardeidae]], common throughout much of [[sub-Saharan Africa]] and [[Madagascar]]. It is mainly resident, but some west African birds [[bird migration|move]] further north in the rainy season. |
The '''black-headed heron''' ('''''Ardea melanocephala''''') is a wading bird of the [[heron]] family [[Ardeidae]], common throughout much of [[sub-Saharan Africa]] and [[Madagascar]]. It is mainly resident, but some west African birds [[bird migration|move]] further north in the rainy season. |
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This species usually breeds in the [[wet season]] in [[Bird colony|colonies]] in trees, reedbeds or cliffs. It builds a bulky stick nest, and lays 2–4 [[ |
This species usually breeds in the [[wet season]] in [[Bird colony|colonies]] in trees, reedbeds or cliffs. It builds a bulky stick nest, and lays 2–4 [[egg]]s. |
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It often feeds in shallow water, spearing [[fish]] or [[frog]]s with its long, sharp bill. It will also hunt well away from water, taking large insects, small [[mammal]]s, and birds. It will wait motionless for its prey, or slowly stalk its victim. |
It often feeds in shallow water, spearing [[fish]] or [[frog]]s with its long, sharp bill. It will also hunt well away from water, taking large insects, small [[mammal]]s, and birds. It will wait motionless for its prey, or slowly stalk its victim. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* Black-headed heron |
* Black-headed heron – [http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/063.pdf Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds] |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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Image:Black-headed Heron flying RWD.jpg| |
Image:Black-headed Heron flying RWD.jpg| |
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File:Ardea melanocephala2.jpg|Gathering nest material |
File:Ardea melanocephala2.jpg|Gathering nest material |
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File:Ardea melanocephala1.jpg|[[Amboseli National Park]], [[Kenya]] |
File:Ardea melanocephala1.jpg|[[Amboseli National Park]], [[Kenya]] |
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File:Ardea melanocephala Fuertes.jpg|Adult painted by [[Louis Agassiz Fuertes]] |
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File:Black-headed Heron.jpg|[[Serengeti National Park]], [[Tanzania]] |
File:Black-headed Heron.jpg|[[Serengeti National Park]], [[Tanzania]] |
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File:West Coast National Park Flowers 2021 17.jpg|[[West Coast National Park]], [[South Africa]] |
File:West Coast National Park Flowers 2021 17.jpg|[[West Coast National Park]], [[South Africa]] |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q220578}} |
{{Taxonbar|from=Q220578}} |
Revision as of 13:09, 28 May 2024
Black-headed heron | |
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![]() | |
Mikumi National Park, Tanzania | |
Calls at dusk at a heronry | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Pelecaniformes |
Family: | Ardeidae |
Genus: | Ardea |
Species: | A. melanocephala
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Binomial name | |
Ardea melanocephala | |
![]() | |
Distribution map of Black-headed heron |
The black-headed heron (Ardea melanocephala) is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa 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 its prey, or slowly stalk its victim.
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.
The flight is slow, with the neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The white underwing coverts are striking in flight.
The call is a loud croaking.
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Ardea melanocephala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22697008A93598165. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22697008A93598165.en.
External links
- Black-headed heron – Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds
Gallery
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
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Gathering nest material