Indian Pond Heron

Indian Pond Heron Latest News

Recent citizen-science data from Visakhapatnam suggests that pond herons and cattle egrets may be undertaking regular seasonal journeys along the East coast, reviving a 30-year-old mystery from Chennai.

About Indian Pond Heron

• Indian Pond Heron or paddybird (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron of Old World origins belonging to the family Ardeidae.
• It acquires maroon hair like plumes on back and a long occipital crest during breeding season.
• Appearance
  • They appear stocky with a short neck, short thick bill and buff-brown back. 
  • During the breeding season, its plumage exhibits shades of chestnut, while in non-breeding periods, it adopts a more subdued appearance with greyish-brown feathers.
• Habitat: It prefers many types of shallow aquatic habitats, fresh of salt, natural or human made.
• Distribution:  It is mainly found in Iran and east to Pakistan, India, Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 
• Behavior
  • They are semi-colonial breeders and sometimes form communal roosts, often in avenue trees over busy urban areas.
  • They are known for their solitary and secretive nature,
  • They are often seen standing motionless at the water’s edge, patiently waiting to ambush their prey. 
• Diet: The primary food of these birds includes crustaceans, aquatic insects, fishes, tadpoles and sometimes leeches.

‹ ›

Conservation Status of Indian Pond Heron

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV.

Source: TH