The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Black Heron or Black Egret
Afrikaans name: Swartreier
The beautiful Black Heron
Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com
Egretta ardesiaca
The Black Heron, also known as the Black Egret, is well-known for its unusual method of hunting. It forms an umbrella, or canopy, with its wings to make a patch of shade which attracts fish. This hunting method may also be to prevent reflections or to hide the movements of the bird when it is about to strike.
They are not as common as the various species of herons with white plumage such as the Cattle Egret. The Black Heron is normally seen near water, particularly areas of shallow water.
The main food of this species is fish but it also eats insects and crustaceans.
Black Herons lay 2 to 4 dark blue eggs in a nest above water.
The distribution of the heron runs from northern South Africa through to the Sahara.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 64 | Melanophoyx ardesiaca |
| 2nd | 64 | Melanophoyx ardesiaca |
| 3rd | 64 | Melanophoyx ardesiaca |
| 4th | 64 | Egretta ardesiaca |
| 5th | 69 | Egretta ardesiaca |
| 6th | 69 | Egretta ardesiaca |
| 7th | 431 | Egretta ardesiaca |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 64 | Black Egret |
| 2nd | 64 | Black Egret |
| 3rd | 64 | Black Egret |
| 4th | 64 | Black Egret |
| 5th | 69 | Black Egret |
| 6th | 69 | Black Egret |
| 7th | 431 | Black Heron |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 64 | Swart Reier |
| 2nd | 64 | Swart Reier |
| 3rd | 64 | Swart Reier |
| 4th | 64 | Swart Reier |
| 5th | 69 | Swartreier |
| 6th | 69 | Swartreier |
| 7th | 431 | Swartreier |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 30Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 42
The Herons Handbook - Author: James Hancock and James Kushlan - Published: 1984 - Page: 101
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 24
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 64
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 130
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 51
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 60
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 51
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 51
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 39
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 35
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 174
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 28
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 68
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 68
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 21
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 56
Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 52
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 9
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 32
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 17
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 31
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 16
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 43
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 173
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 173
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