Bird
Chinese Pond-Heron
Ardeola bacchusThe Chinese Pond-Heron is a compact East Asian heron that appears streaky brown when resting but flashes broad white wings in flight. Breeding adults develop a chestnut head and breast with a dark slate back, then stalk fish and insects along shallow margins.
Small HeronSeasonal PlumageShallow-water Hunter
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySmall fish, Frogs, Aquatic insects
Predators
- Large raptors
- Snakes
- Monitor lizards
ThreatsWetland conversion, pesticide exposure, polluted water, colony disturbance, and drainage
HabitatsRice fields, marshes, ponds, canals, riversides, mangroves, mudflats, and urban wetlands
Life spanLikely 5 to 10 years; species-specific records are limited
Classification
- FamilyArdeidae
- SpeciesArdeola bacchus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Watch from stable banks and avoid flushing birds from feeding shallows or colonies.
Responsible observation
- Flight: Broad white wings contrast strongly with the darker body.
- Season: Breeding adults show chestnut head and breast with a slate back.
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