Black-headed Heron

Afrikaans name: Swartkopreier

Black-headed Heron

Photo © Steven Herbert

Ardea melanocephala

The Black-headed Heron is normally seen hunting its prey in grasslands while the similar looking Grey Heron is normally seen at the waters edge.

This heron is about 90 cm in height. Its wingspan is around 1.5 metres. It weighs around 1.5 kg.

Although it does feed on fish and frogs, caught in water, it most often eats insects, birds and small mammals. It is very patient when hunting and will stand still for long periods of time.

Black-headed Herons nest in colonies in trees or cliffs where it builds a nest out of sticks. It will often nest in the company of other herons and cormorants. 2 to 4 eggs are laid.

The Black-headed Heron is found across the whole of South Africa.

A Black-headed Heron taking off

Photo © Steven Herbert

What's the difference between a Black-headed Heron and Grey Heron?

Grey Herons are similar in looks to Black-headed Herons. The Grey Heron is white and not black on the sides of the head. The neck is a pale grey unlike the two-tone colour of the Black-headed Heron. In flight the underwing of the Grey Heron is more uniform in colour.

See below for pictures showing the differences.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Grey Heron

Below - Black-headed Heron

Photo © Steven Herbert

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	55	Ardea melanocephala
2nd	55	Ardea melanocephala
3rd	55	Ardea melanocephala
4th	55	Ardea melanocephala
5th	63	Ardea melanocephala
6th	63	Ardea melanocephala
7th	439	Ardea melanocephala

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	55	Black-headed Heron
2nd	55	Black-headed Heron
3rd	55	Black-headed Heron
4th	55	Black-headed Heron
5th	63	Blackheaded Heron
6th	63	Blackheaded Heron
7th	439	Black-headed Heron

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	55	Swartkop-reier
2nd	55	Swartkop-reier
3rd	55	Swartkopreier
4th	55	Swartkopreier
5th	63	Swartkopreier
6th	63	Swartkopreier
7th	439	Swartkopreier

References and further reading

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 30

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 28

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 36

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 24

The Herons Handbook - Author: James Hancock and James Kushlan - Published: 1984 - Page: 63

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 20

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 3

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 104

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 18

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 60

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 56

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 46

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 31

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 46

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 27

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 178

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 21

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 74

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 74

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 26

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 52

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 52

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 138

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 26

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 26

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 8

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 14

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 3

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 20

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 29

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 20

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 38

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 171

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 171

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 36

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List of South African Birds