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"Indian Pond Heron" AKA "Paddybird" (Ardeola Grayii)
This species of Heron is commonly found in India. They often sit patiently on river beds, edge of ponds, and other such water sources, waiting for their meal to swim closer to them. When they do, the Heron uses its lightening fast fast strike to grab its prey out of the water, and have a happy meal. They mainly feed on small - medium sized Fishes and Frogs.
They are also found to glide above the water, sometimes swim on water, in order to drive the fishes / frogs towards the shore, then wait on the shore to catch them. Evolution has surely taught them great fishing skills!
I have shared this image to show just how easy it is to miss out on these birds even when they are only a couple of feet away from us. They are well camouflaged, nest on trees, and are great at finding their food.
The Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird is a small heron. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Iran and east to India, Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They are widespread and common but can be easily missed when they stalk prey at the edge of small water-bodies or even when they roost close to human habitations.
