Saturday, April 16, 2016

Indian Pond Heron @ the edge of the Lake

At the end of the neatly paved trail at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, which we visited last week, I find an Indian Pond Heron stalk prey at the edge of the lake. The bird very common in India, usually forage alone and can be missed easily just the way stalk prey in the pictures below.

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The Indian pond heron or paddy bird is a small heron, widely distributed across India and its bordering countries and in the Persian Gulf, it is found in Iran, Oman and UAE.   Appear stocky with a short neck; the breeding plumage (which is in the images) has dark brown patches on white unlike non-breeding birds that have white plumage streaked in olive and brown.

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doesn't it look beautiful with the reflection in water?
Measuring 40 to 45 cm in length and weighing about 230 to 275 grams, and wingspan to 75 to 90 cm, the bird has a greenish bill with black tip and yellow eyes. The prominent feature of the bird was it transforms its appearance when take off with flashing bright white wings in contrast to their dull body colors.

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a non-breeding plumage is also present in  the pic above
Apt to their name, they inhabit around ponds and pools mostly, apart marshes, rivers, streams, paddy fields… the birds feeds on fishes, frogs, crustaceans, insects and small reptiles, usually from the edge of the pond. 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

9 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jeevan, your Indian Pond Heron is a cool bird. It looks similar to our night herons. Wonderful sighting and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I love these birds and the reflections are great. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

TexWisGirl said...

it is beautiful!

GreenComotion said...

This is special visual treat from the sub-continent.
Very cool bird. Thanks for sharing your lovely snaps, Jeevan!
Have a Happy Day!
Peace :)

Sandhya said...

Beautiful pictures, Jeevan! I saw these birds in Vedanthaangal. Yes, they seem to road very close to the ponds!

Pooja Mittal said...

you are so good at taking pics :)
keep in touch
www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com
www.indianbeautydiary.com

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots of the pond heron.

Destination Infinity said...

Nice. I almost missed the reflection, but once you mentioned, I went back and saw that the reflection was present in all photos.

Destination Infinity

Twilight Man said...

You were so lucky to snap nice shots of these birds. They must have patiently posed for you to share with us!! I love to see those birds photos taken in your area. Nice!