
Black Heron
The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca) also known as the black egret, is an African heron.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 317 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Black Heron is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
317 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Black Heron
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Black Heron
Hosts have recorded the Black Heron at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Egretta ardesiaca
Records
317
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Black Heron on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Black Heron in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Black Heron at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Black Heron in South Africa?
The Black Heron is most recorded in Mpumalanga (28% of records), Gauteng (27% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (14% of records), based on 317 iNaturalist observations. 1 place to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal has recorded the Black Heron on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Black Heron?
The Black Heron is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Black Heron?
The Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Black Heron?
The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca) also known as the black egret, is an African heron. It is well known for its habit of using its wings to form a canopy when fishing.

























