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
Species
	A. grayii; A. ralloides; A. bacchus; A. speciosa; A. idae; A. rufiventris;

Pond herons (Ardeola) are herons, typically 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long with an 80–100 cm (31–39 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 and the Greater Middle East.
Ardeola bacchus	Chinese pond heron	China and adjacent temperate and subtropical East Asia.
Ardeola speciosa	Javan pond heron	Southeast Asia.
Ardeola idae	Malagasy pond heron	Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia
Ardeola rufiventris	Rufous-bellied heron	Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.