Calherodius leuconotus
The White-backed Night Heron (Calherodius leuconotus) is a reclusive, medium-sized heron of sub-Saharan Africa, distinguished by its dark plumage and a striking white patch on its back, visible primarily in flight or when the bird stretches. Measuring approximately 50-58 cm in length with a wingspan of 90-100 cm, adults exhibit dark slate-grey to black upperparts, a rufous neck and underparts, and bright yellow eyes that stand out against its dark face. This species, often considered monotypi...
This heron primarily inhabits dense, vegetated freshwater wetlands, swamps, forested riverbanks, and streams, typically at low to mid-elevations across its sub-Saharan African range.
Its diet primarily consists of small fish, amphibians (frogs), aquatic insects, and crustaceans, which it captures by patiently waiting and striking from a concealed position in shallow water.
The White-backed Night Heron is primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, emerging from its dense daytime roosts within thick vegetation at dusk to begin foraging. It employs a patient 'stand-and-wait' or slow-stalk foraging strategy, often perching low over water or wading quietly in shallows. Due to...
The White-backed Night Heron is found across a wide, albeit patchy, distribution throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Its range extends from Senegal and Gambia in West Africa, eastward through the Congo Basin to Ethiopia, and southward through East Africa to Angola, Zambia, and South Africa. This speci...
Least Concern
- The White-backed Night Heron is one of the most elusive birds in Africa, rarely seen due to its nocturnal habits and preference for dense vegetation. - Its distinctive white back patch, which gives it its name, is often only visible when the bird is in flight or stretching. - Unlike many heron ...