White backed night heron

Introduction: White-backed night-herons (Gorsachius leuconotus) inhabit clear and slow-moving perennial rivers and streams with overhanging vegetation, in both woodland and forested regions. Occasionally reedbeds, lakes and dams are favoured.

Distribution: Lower Orange River and Fish River, lower Kunene River, although most concentrations can be observed in the Caprivi/Kwando River region.

Diet: Stands motionless or walks along shoreline for small fish, amphibians, insects, molluscs and crustaceans.

Description: Medium-sized, stocky looking heron with large head and eyes and a stout bill. Rufous coloured neck, dark brown neck with a conspicuous white patch forming in flight from with white scapulars. Leuconotus is Greek for 'white back'.

Breeding: A stick platform lined with leaves, reed stems and grass is usually well-hidden in tree or shrub where the female lay 2 to 4 eggs year-round except for June.

Size: 55cm.

Weight: 440g.