Black Heron vs White-eared Night Heron
Egretta ardesiaca compared with Oroanassa magnifica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black Heron | White-eared Night Heron |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Egretta ardesiaca | Oroanassa magnifica |
| Order | Pelecaniformes | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae | Ardeidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 49.0 cm (19.3 in) | 61.3 cm (24.1 in) |
| Weight | 330.0 g (11.64 oz) | 480.3 g (16.94 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 3-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Black Heron
Endangered
White-eared Night Heron
About These Birds
Black Heron
The Black Heron is a medium-sized, all-black heron famous for its unique canopy-feeding technique, in which it spreads its wings like an umbrella over the water to create shade and attract fish. It inhabits shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, and flooded grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It feeds primarily on small fish and aquatic invertebrates attracted to the shade created by its distinctive wing canopy.