Pond heron

Pond herons (Ardeola) are herons, typically long with an 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).

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

Image	Name	Common name	Distribution
File:Indian Pond Heron I2 IMG 1142.jpg	Ardeola grayii	Indian pond heron	southern Iran and east to Pakistan, India, Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
File:Squacco Heron (19355824299).jpg	Ardeola ralloides	Squacco heron	southern Europe, Greater Middle East and Africa
File:Chinese Pond Heron in Summer.jpg	Ardeola bacchus	Chinese pond heron	Breeds in eastern China, Japan and adjacent areas; spends non-breeding season in far southern China and southeast Asia
File:Ardeola speciosa.JPG	Ardeola speciosa	Javan pond heron	Mainland Southeast Asia, the Sunda Islands and southern Philippines
File:Madagascar Squacco Heron - Mara - Kenya(6) (15224926489).jpg	Ardeola idae	Malagasy pond heron	Breeds in Madagascar, Réunion and Seychelles; spends non-breeding season in eastern mainland Africa
File:Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris).jpg	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

References

Template:Asbox