Indian Pond-Heron

A small heron that is common in most aquatic habitats across the Indian subcontinent. Adults in breeding plumage have a dark reddish brown back that contrasts with a yellowish head, neck, and breast. In nonbreeding plumage they are virtually indistinguishable from nonbreeding Chinese Pond-Heron. In flight, adults appear surprisingly white due to their strikingly white wings, underparts, and tail. Although typically solitary, large numbers often gather where food is plentiful. Prone to seasonally local movements and vagrancy.

The Indian pond heron in Sri Lanka is found in freshwater wetlands, coastal lagoons, and marshes. They are also found in shallow aquatic habitats, such as ponds, ditches, rice fields, and irrigated pastures.

The Indian pond heron's diet in Sri Lanka is varied and includes fish, insects, crustaceans, amphibians, and other aquatic invertebrates.