White-backed Night Heron
Calherodius leuconotus
White-backed Night Heron (Calherodius leuconotus) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Africa.
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The White-backed Night Heron (Calherodius leuconotus) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 480 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Calherodius
- Species leuconotus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 480 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-backed Night Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The White-backed Night Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The White-backed Night Heron (Calherodius leuconotus) is a species of bird in the Ardeidae family, part of the order Pelecaniformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 480 g, with a wing length of about 24.8 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 7.9 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-backed Night Heron?
The White-backed Night Heron is a large bird that weighs around 480 g.
Where does the White-backed Night Heron live?
The White-backed Night Heron is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the White-backed Night Heron belong to?
The White-backed Night Heron (Calherodius leuconotus) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the White-backed Night Heron eat?
The White-backed Night Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the White-backed Night Heron migrate?
The White-backed Night Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the White-backed Night Heron endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the White-backed Night Heron's range?
The White-backed Night Heron has a mapped global range of about 7.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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