Birds Around Me

The Indian Pond Heron बगुला, अँधा बगुला, चमा बगुला, खूंच बगुला, अंध बक, भूरा बगुला  (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron. They are very common but can be easily missed when they stalk prey at the edge of small water-bodies, drains, or even water tanks in front of your house. They are, however, distinctive when they take off with bright white wings flashing in contrast to the cryptic streaked olive and brown colours of the body. The feet of the Pond Heron are adapted to apply very little pressure on anything the heron stands on.  In the breeding season, the back is covered with maroon-ish hair like plumes, and a long white occipital crest is acquired.  The Pond Heron can be mostly seen singly or in pairs in the muddy puddles, ponds, and wherever they can find enough food - fish, frogs, worms, lizards, and at times rodents. Large congregations collect to roost in favourite trees at dusk. They are often seen with egrets and other herons. Indeed, they share their habitat with ot...