Birds
Black Heron
Egretta ardesiaca · also called umbrella bird
Arching its wings forward into a complete umbrella over the water, a black heron creates its own patch of shade to spot fish hiding beneath the surface, one of the most visually striking and genuinely unique hunting behaviours found in any bird.
Overview
The black heron, Egretta ardesiaca, is an entirely dark-plumaged heron native to wetland habitat across sub-Saharan Africa. Its remarkable umbrella-like wing canopy used to create shade while hunting, striking all-black or dark slate plumage, and bright yellow feet make it one of the most behaviourally unique and visually distinctive herons found anywhere in the world.
A hunter that brings its own shade
Few birds anywhere modify their environment as directly as the black heron does while hunting, forming a genuine canopy of shade with its own wings to gain an advantage most other herons never attempt.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable wetland habitat throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Black Heron: common questions
Why does the black heron form an umbrella shape with its wings?
This species arches its wings forward over its head to form a complete umbrella-like canopy over the water, a technique that creates shade and reduces glare, making it easier to spot fish hiding beneath the surface.
Is the black heron actually completely black?
This species has entirely black or very dark slate-coloured plumage, a striking contrast to the many white and pale herons and egrets found sharing the same African wetlands.
Where is the black heron found?
This species is restricted mainly to wetland habitat across sub-Saharan Africa, rarely found far beyond the continent, unlike many other heron species with much wider global distributions.
Is the black heron's hunting technique unique among birds?
This behaviour is considered one of the most distinctive hunting techniques found in any bird, with few other species forming anything resembling a complete shade canopy with their wings while actively hunting.