The Black Heron, Egretta ardesiaca, is a medium-sized Heron with bright golden feet.
The bird in this image is in the process of feeding, whereby it throws its wings forward and round in an ‘umbrella’ shape forming shade which fish can swim into. It is thought that the heron, which tucks its head under the ‘umbrella’, can thereby see the fish better, similarly to a person wearing polarising sunglasses to cut glare, aiding it in catching its prey. This is known as canopy feeding.
I waited a long time to see this, although it was high on my wishlist for many years. I finally caught up with this bird in Chobe National Park, Botswana.
This image is copyright © Liz Leyden, 2016, all rights reserved.
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