Black-Headed Heron

The black-headed heron is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa.

Black-headed heron. Photo by Esmee Tooke. 

It has a black head and neck and a white throat with black streaks down the front.

Black streaks visible on throat. Photo by Mark Edwards.

The upperparts are dark gray and the chest and belly are lighter gray.

Photo by Steven Shuel.

Black-headed heron in Serengeti NP.

The bill varies from black to yellow and the legs are gray to black. It has distinctive white wing linings that contrast with the dark flight feathers in flight. 

Black-headed heron in flight in Serengeti NP.

We saw some in Serengeti NP and Masai Mara NR, that I recall.  Because it is so similar to the herons in the U.S., some members of our party showed little interest in it, not recognizing that it is not found in the U.S.