Indian Pond Heron
An egret-like marsh bird chiefly earthy brown when at rest.
Its appearance is transformed from their dull colours when they take to
flight, when the white of the wings makes them very prominent.
Local names: Bagla , Andha Bagla, Chama Bangla (Hindi)
Kulamuti (Malayalam)
Kulathu Kokku, Kurutu kokku (Tamil)
In breeding season acquires maroon hair like plumes on back and white
occipital crest
The Indian pond heron's feeding habitat is marshy wetlands. They
usually feed at the edge of ponds but make extensive use of floating
vegetation such as water hyacinth to access deeper water.
Outside wetlands, these herons feed on insects (including crickets,
dragonflies and bees), fish and amphibians.
The breeding season begins with the onset of the
monsoons.
They nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on
platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The nest material is collected
by the male while the female builds the nest.
Three to five eggs are laid.The eggs hatch asynchronously, taking 18 to
24 days to hatch. Both parents feed the young. Fish are the main diet
fed to young.
Nest sites that are not disturbed may be reused year after year.
References
The Book of Indian Birds (Salim Ali)
Wikipedia
Pictures:
Thoovampallil house, Chettikulangara, Kerala(2019)
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