A large, grayish heron of drier habitats; note distinctly dark cap and nape contrasting with white throat. In flight the underwing is strongly contrasting black-and-white. The juvenile is duskier and duller. It walks slowly, hunting for small animals, and is often found far from water foraging in burnt grassland or open savanna, though it may also occasionally haunt a pond or quiet river bend. Juveniles resemble juvenile Gray Herons, but juvenile Black-headed Herons have slate-gray rather than yellow legs. Gray Heron also has uniformly gray (not black-and-white) underwings.