Waterbird - Pond Heron 3/3 - Indian Pond Heron (Lifer 547)

Satisfying moment in the month of April 2021 as I finally close the chapter on Pond-heron of peninsula Malaysia as the final bird is now in hand. Thank Sian.

The birds are there to see whether in Muar Johor,  Melaka or Sekinchan Selangor its a matter of the going out to look for it. The month of April many pond herons will molt to their  breeding plummage. When they are breeding their legs will turn bright red. Some are late in changing their feathers colors like the one pictured below. I am almost sure it is an Indian pond heron too

Indian Pond Heron are visitors from India subcontinent Sri Lanka and Burma side. Adults in breeding plumage have a dark reddish-brown back that contrasts with a yellowish head, neck, and breast. In non-breeding plumage, they are virtually indistinguishable from non-breeding Chinese Pond-Heron or Javan for that matter. 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. 

These photos were shot with my Nikon P1000 at 3000mm focal distance at a range of 250 ft away in the middle of the padi field. Pictures are rather soft with plenty of sharpening required. During the padi planting season you can  only drive along the track and scan the water canals and walk bunds for the birds. Best to shoot from your car.

Their diet comprises mainly of frogs fish crustaceans and insects depending on the season. During my encounter it was on a dry bund  and has the uncanny sense to pluck out grubs from the grassy muddy ground. This happen in the morning. By 10 am it disappeared into the padi field.