Don’t be fooled by the title; the Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The bird is so still that it seems almost to be meditating, often blending in with its background. This Heron’s camouflage is so excellent that it often permits humans to approach very close to it before flying away. This has given it folk names and resulted in myths that the bird’s blind.

The Indian Pond Heron: Pensive yet Alert

It is however, distinctive when it takes wing, as its bright white wings flash in contrast with the cryptic streaked olive and brown hues found on the rest of its body.

Ironically, this ‘meditating saint’ has an important role to play on plantations as it feeds on ‘trespassers’- amphibians that damage crops. Its diet primarily includes crustaceans, aquatic insects, fish, tadpoles and sometimes even leeches! Traces of heavy metals acquired from feeding in polluted waters may be found in the bird’s tail feathers!

At the Water's Edge

These birds are very common in India. The Indian Pond Heron usually feeds at the edge of ponds, but makes good use of floating vegetation including Water Hyacinth to access deeper waters. They may also occasionally swim on water or fish from the air. They have been spotted capturing fish leaping out of water during flight as well. The bird is an excellent stalker, standing hunched up at the water’s edge, patiently watching out for prey, often with bait in its beak.

Deepti Michelle John

Deepti, based out of Bangalore, works as Assistant Manager (Marketing) at Orange County Resorts. Possessing Master’s degrees in Psychology and Media and Communications from the London School of Economics, she enjoys spirituality, music, nature, and children.

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