Indian Pond Heron

Scientific Name: Ardeola grayii
Malay Name: Pucung-Padi Kelabu
Chinese Name: 印度池鹭

Range:
Found from the Persian Gulf, Indian subcontinent to the Maldive Islands and winter to the Thai-Malay Peninsula.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 45 cm

Identification:
Indistinguishable from other pond-heron species when in non-breeding and juvenile plumage. Adult in breeding plumage has distinctive brownish-buff head, neck and breast with long white head-plumes, whitish throat and dark brownish-maroon mantle and scapulars.

Similar looking species: Chinese Pond Heron, Javan Pond Heron

Habitat: Various wetlands like streams, marshes, ponds and open wooded areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Diet comprises fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects.

Local Status: Rare migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Featured reports: Mar 2022, Apr 2022, May 2022

Past accepted records in our database:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Indian Pond Heron in breeding plumage at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Indian Pond Heron in breeding plumage at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Indian Pond Heron at Dover. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Indian Pond Heron in breeding plumage at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Indian Pond Heron in breeding plumage at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap