Pond heron

Pond heron
	Indian pond heron (Ardeola grayii)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Pelecaniformes
Family:	Ardeidae
Subfamily:	Ardeinae
Genus:	Ardeola; F. Boie, 1822
Type species
	Ardea ralloides;
Species
	See text

Pond herons (Ardeola) are herons, typically 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long with an 80–100 cm (30–40 in) wingspan. Most breed in the tropical Old World, but the migratory squacco heron occurs in southern Europe and the Middle East and winters in Africa. The scientific name comes from Latin ardeola, a small heron (ardea).^[1]

These pond herons are stocky species with a short neck, short thick bill, typically buff or brownish back, and coloured or streaked fore neck and breast. In summer, adults may have long neck feathers. Ardeola herons are transformed in flight, looking very white due to the brilliant white wings.

Their breeding habitat is marshy wetlands. They nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. Two to five eggs are laid.

These herons feed on insects, fish and amphibians. They are often found on small ponds giving rise to the English name shared by most of the species.

Species

Name	Common name	Distribution
Ardeola grayii	Indian pond heron	southern Iran and east to Pakistan, India, Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Ardeola ralloides	Squacco heron	southern Europe, Greater Middle East and Africa
Ardeola bacchus	Chinese pond heron	Breeds in eastern China, Japan and adjacent areas; spends non-breeding season in far southern China and southeast Asia
Ardeola speciosa	Javan pond heron	Mainland Southeast Asia, the Sunda Islands and southern Philippines
Ardeola idae	Malagasy pond heron	Breeds in Madagascar, Réunion and Seychelles; spends non-breeding season in eastern mainland Africa
Ardeola rufiventris	Rufous-bellied heron	Africa: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe