Black Heron (Egret)
Egretta ardesiaca

The black heron stalks fish and crustaceans by spreading its wings like an umbrella. The top photo was taken at Shambarai swamp (3-19). The 2nd row photo was taken at Lake Manyara (8-20), courtesy of Alex Rees. The 3rd row bird (Nyumba ya Mungu, 10-22) and the left 4th row bird (Lake Manyara, 4-15) are courtesy of Per Holmen; the right 4th row, in Chobe NP-Botswana (3-16), courtesy of Brad Johnson. The 5th row photo (Lake Manyara, 11-16) is courtesy of Linda Bushman and the photo with spoonbill was taken at Lake Manyara (1-18); click it to see 9 enlargements.
The 23 birds in the bottom slider were seen at Lake Jipe, Lake Manyara and Shambarai swamp.