A relatively small species of heron with dark grey feathers and distinctive bright yellow feet, the Black Heron is found across much of Sub-Saharan Africa (reportedly being most common in the east of the continent, including in parts of Madagascar) and is best known for its unique and extremely odd-looking method of catching prey; like other herons Black Herons are carnivorous and feed on fish, frogs and aquatic invertebrates, but instead of relying solely on their excellent eyesight and fast reflexes to catch their prey members of this species form "canopies" by spreading their wings around their bodies to form dome-like structures, luring prey into what seems like a shaded, sheltered hiding place before quickly snatching them out of the water using their long, powerful beaks. Typically found near shallow lakes or streams but also sometimes seen in coastal environments, Black Herons are often seen travelling and feeding in small groups, and generally build their nests (which are large, sturdy platform-like structures typically suspended above water to make them harder for predators to access) alongside not only other members of their species but also other species of herons, ibises and cormorants. Black Herons breed during periods of prolonged rainy weather (with the feet of males turning bright red when they are receptive to mating,) and shortly afterwards females produce clutches of 2-4 white or pale blue eggs. Each female will defend her eggs fiercely, and while members of this species will not actively defend other females' eggs nesting in groups is thought to increase every individual egg's likelihood of surviving in the event of a predator attacking, as large colonies of aggressive mother herons are likely to intimidate all but the largest of egg-eaters.