Indian Pond Heron

Paddy Heron in breeding plumage

The Paddy Heron ( ardeola grayii ) is a wading bird of the heron family.

Features

The Paddy Heron is a small, stocky heron with a body length of up to 45 cm. In Plain dress is back from his reed- brown in color, so that it is easy to be confused with the European Rallenreiher. He works in flight but its white wing underside quite bright The bottom of the fuselage is apart from the striped chest is also white. In breeding plumage the back is maroon.

Occurrence

It inhabits reedy wetlands, mangroves and swamps of southern Asia. Its range extends from southern Iran through India and Sri Lanka to Bangladesh. A subspecies ( ardeola grayii phillipsi ) also lives in the Maldives. He penetrates also in villages and on garbage dumps to feed on human waste.

Behavior

The paddy heron feeds usually of small fish, amphibians and insects. It breeds twice a year, from May to September, November to January. He nests in small colonies, often with other herons. Its nest is usually a platform of twigs and reeds. In there the female lays three to five green-blue eggs.