Pond Heron [Ardeola grayii]
Flora & Fauna
Salim Ali and S. Dillon Ripley describe the Pond Heron as “An egret-like waterside bird largely snow-white and prominent when in flight, effectively camouflaged earthy brown when at rest.” The bird mainly feeds on frogs, fish, crustaceans and water beetles. The Pond Heron is also known as the Paddy Bird as it is often found in paddy fields foraging for small insects and crustaceans. The bird has a habit of standing still until the very last moment before flying when approached by people which has led people to believe that the bird is short sighted. Interestingly, the Sri Lankan name for the bird translates to ‘half-blind heron’.
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