The Umbrella Hunter!
The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca) also known as the black egret, is an African heron. It is well known for its habit of using its wings to form a canopy when fishing.
The black heron has an interesting hunting method called canopy feeding - it uses its wings like an umbrella, and uses the shade it creates to attract fish. This technique was well documented in episode 5 of the BBC's "The Life of Birds". Some have been observed feeding in solitary, while others feed in groups of up to 50 individuals, 200 being the highest number reported. The black heron feeds by day but especially prefers the time around sunset. It roosts communally at night, and coastal flocks roost at high tide. The primary food of the black heron is small fish, but it will also eat aquatic insects, crustaceans and amphibians.
This lovely Black Heron was captured during a photography safari on a late evening boat ride on Lake Baringo, Kenya.
The Umbrella Hunter!
The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca) also known as the black egret, is an African heron. It is well known for its habit of using its wings to form a canopy when fishing.
The black heron has an interesting hunting method called canopy feeding - it uses its wings like an umbrella, and uses the shade it creates to attract fish. This technique was well documented in episode 5 of the BBC's "The Life of Birds". Some have been observed feeding in solitary, while others feed in groups of up to 50 individuals, 200 being the highest number reported. The black heron feeds by day but especially prefers the time around sunset. It roosts communally at night, and coastal flocks roost at high tide. The primary food of the black heron is small fish, but it will also eat aquatic insects, crustaceans and amphibians.
This lovely Black Heron was captured during a photography safari on a late evening boat ride on Lake Baringo, Kenya.