Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Indian Pond Heron

Pond herons are stocky with a short neck, short thick bill, a buff or brownish back and a colored or streaked fore-neck and breast. The Indian pond heron is one of six species of pond heron. It is found in eastern Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 
Indian pond heron in non-breeding plumage in Udawalawe NP. 
Non-breeding plumage in Yala NP. 
Their dull colors become more flashy when they fly and reveal their white wings. In breeding season they look quite different, they get a dark reddish/brown back that contrasts with a yellowish head, neck and breast. Some get reddish legs.  
Breeding plumage at Kandy Lake. 

The distribution map shows them in the northern half of Sri Lanka, but I believe we some them in  southern Sri Lanka as well, including Udawalawe National Park and Yala National Park. 

1 comment:

  1. For some reason, I always think of herons as being white. I'm surprised to learn these are herons.

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