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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’.

Collection:
Nature Collection
Photograph ID:
001/0387/0013
Album ID:
Photographers:
Kumaran and Ramila Sathasivam are keen naturalists and photographers. Their photographs have appeared in a number of publications, including Blackbuck, the journal of the Madras Naturalists&#39; Society. Kumaran Sathasivam is a 1980s&#39; IIT Madras alumnus. His book A Forest in the City is about his natural history experiences during his student days.

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