23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - SUB SAHARAN STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata ssp. atricapilla)

The Sub Saharan striated heron (Butorides striata ssp. atricapilla) also known as mangrove heron or little green heron, is a small heron, about 44 cm tall. It is mostly sedentary and noted for some interesting behavioural traits. The breeding habitat is in South America and the Caribbean. The striated heron was formerly considered to be conspecific with the little heron that is found in the Old World tropics from west Africa to Japan and Australia.

The striated heron is 35–48 cm (14–19 in) in length, weighs 130–250 g (4.6–8.8 oz) and has a wing-span of 52–60 cm (20–24 in). The sexes are alike. The plumage is variable below, from mid grey to pinkish-purple or orangey toned. Adults have a blue-grey back and wings, white underparts, a black cap, a dark line extends from the bill to under the eye and short yellow legs. Juveniles are browner above and heavily streaked below.

21-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - SUB SAHARAN STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata ssp. atricapilla)

The Little Heron (Butorides atricapilla or striata), common in Sub-Saharan Africa, is a small, solitary heron found in wetlands, featuring slate-grey plumage, a black cap, and yellow legs, known for patiently ambushing small fish, frogs, and insects, sometimes using bait, and nesting in low vegetation. It's a sedentary species, highly adapted to various water bodies, and has subspecies varying across its vast African, Asian, and Australian range, often mistaken for or closely related to other small herons like the Green Heron. 

Key Facts for Sub-Saharan Africa:

Identification: Adults are slate-grey with a black cap and nape plumes, blackish bill with a yellow base, and yellowish-orange legs; juveniles are browner and streaked.

Habitat: Densely vegetated rivers, swamps, mangroves, estuaries, and floodplains.

Diet: Small fish, frogs, crabs, shrimps, insects, and reptiles, caught by stealthily waiting or using bait.

Behavior: Usually solitary, often crepuscular (active at dusk/dawn), employing ambush tactics.

Breeding: Nests in low bushes or trees over water, often near other herons, laying pale blue eggs.

Movement: Generally sedentary but makes local movements following rains.

 

Key Facts (General):

Scientific Name: Butorides atricapilla (or Butorides striata in some classifications).

Range: Africa, Asia, Australia, South America.

Conservation: Status varies by region, but generally common; threatened by habitat loss and pollution.