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 India 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 saw 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.
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