Indian Pond Heron

Why in news?

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

• It is a small heron that is common in most aquatic habitats, also known as Indian pond heron or paddy bird.
• Scientific name – Ardeola grayii.
• Family – Ardeidae (Herons, egrets, and bitterns).
• Habitat – Common in wetlands, ponds, paddy fields, and even near human settlements.
• Distribution – It is found widely across the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Burma, and southern Iran.
• Appearance – They appear stocky with a short neck, short thick bill and buff-brown back.
  • Non-breeding plumage – Streaked olive-brown, blending with surroundings.
  • Breeding plumage – Reddish-brown back, buff-brown body, sometimes red legs.
  • In flight – Distinctive white wings, underparts, and tail contrasting with darker body.
  • Excellent camouflage leads to folk beliefs of being “semi-blind” or “short-sighted.

• Behavior - Semi-colonial breeders; nests built in trees/shrubs, often with other wading birds.
• Diet – The primary food includes crustaceans (like Shellfishes), aquatic insects, fishes, tadpoles, leeches, also feeds on insects in grasslands and garbage heaps.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Red List – Least Concern.
  • Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 - Schedule IV.

References

1. The Hindu | Scientists track pond herons mysterious night flights
2. Thai National Park | Indian Pond Heron