I've never purchased JUST a tripod head, but I'd like to attach one to a tall lightstand for a high-angle unmanned camera shot. My question is, can I just place a tripod head on the lightstand and tighten it down?

Are there special connections or what?

From memory all "flat bottomed" heads have a hole to take a 3/8" bolt. If your light stand has a suitable bolt you should have no worries. However, something in the back of my mind seems to think light stands are fitted with 1/4" bolt threads on top, so you may need a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter.

Given the all up weight of a pan/ tilt head plus camera I'd make sure those legs were well and trully sand bagged tho' - could be an expensive ol' "whoops" otherwise.

CS

Thanks for the advice, Chris!