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Indian Pond Heron
Latin Name:
Ardeola grayii
Category:
Size:
46cm
Description:
Sexes alike. A small heron, commonest of family in India; thick-set and earthybrown in colour, with dull green legs; bill bluish at base, yellowish at centre with black tip; neck and legs shorter than in true egrets. Difficult to sight when settled; suddenly springs to notice with a flash of white wings, tail and rump. Breeding: buffy-brown head and neck; white chin and upper throat, longish crest; rich maroon back; buff-brown breast. Non-breeding: streaked dark brown head and neck; grey-brown back and shoulders; more white in plumage. Found around water, even dirty roadside puddles; ubiquitous in the plains; found in hills up to 1,200m; remains motionless in mud or up to ankles in water, or slowly stalks prey. Hunts alone; roosts in groups with other pond herons and occasionally crows.
Habitat:
marshes, jheels, riversides, roadside ditches, tidal creeks.
Food:
fish, frogs, crustaceans, insects.
Distribution:
resident; subcontinent.
Call:
Call Description:
a harsh croak, usually when flushed.
IUCN:
National Status:
At IITK: