Indian Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii
Lakes & Water Bodies of Telangana & India
The Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Iran and east to the Indian subcontinent, Burma, 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. A small heron that is common in most aquatic habitats across the Indian subcontinent. 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 the non-breeding Chinese Pond-Heron. 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 and they are prone to seasonally local movements and vagrancy. Their camouflage is so excellent that they can be approached closely before they take to flight, a behaviour which has resulted in folk names and beliefs that the birds are short-sighted or blind.
Telangana's landscape is dotted with ideal habitats, from the urban oases of Ameenpur Lake, Osman Sagar, HImayat Sagar, Kistareddypet Lake near Hyderabad to the sprawling Singur Dam, the Sri Ram Sagar Reservoir and the Dindi Reservoir. It is truly an amazing experience to capture the intricate details of their breeding plumes during the peak season. Renowned for its extensive natural resources, breathtaking scenery, and rich cultural legacy Telangana is the eleventh largest state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the twelfth-most populated state in India with a geographical area of 112,077 km² of which 21,214 km² is forest cover. The dry deciduous forests ecoregion of the central Deccan Plateau covers much of the state, including Hyderabad. The characteristic vegetation is woodlands of Hardwickia binata and Albizia amara. Over 80% of the original forest cover has been cleared for agriculture, timber harvesting, or cattle grazing, but large blocks of forest can be found in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve and elsewhere. The more humid Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests cover the Eastern Ghats in the eastern part of the state. The Central Deccan forests have an upper canopy at 15–25 meters, and an understory at 10–15 meters, with little undergrowth.
The dry sub-humid zone or Dichanthium-cenchrus-lasitrrus type of grasslands are prevalent here and cover almost the entirety of peninsular India except the Nilgiris. One sees thorny bushes like the Acacia catechu or Khair as it is known in Hindi, Mimosa, Zizyphus (Ber) and sometimes the fleshy Euphorbia, along with low trees of Anogeissus letifolia or Axle Wood, Soymida febrifuga - the Indian Redwood - and other deciduous species. Sehima (grass) which is more prevalent on gravel is about 27% of the cover and Dichanthium(grass) which flourishes on level soil is almost 80% of the coverage.
Telangana's extensive network of lakes, which enhance the state's scenic appeal and serve a vital role in delivering water for irrigation, home usage, and industrial reasons, is one of the state's most notable natural characteristics. Telangana has lakes due to its geography and the copious amounts of rain that fall there during the monsoons. Telangana is home to some of India's most stunning and ecologically significant water features, with over 6,000 natural and man-made lakes. Endowed with a rich natural resource base and a diverse environment, there are many lakes in the area, both natural and man-made, which are significant water supplies for industry, domestic use, and irrigation. The lakes of Telangana are a crucial component of the area's ecosystem and provide a habitat for many different plant and animal species. Many of the state's numerous lakes, which range in size and depth and provide visitors with breathtaking views and leisure activities like boating, fishing, and bird watching, are well-liked tourist destinations. Telangana's lakes visually represent the state's natural beauty and ecological diversity, from the picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad to the tranquil Pakhal Lake in the Warangal district.
Sri Ram Sagar Project Environs
The Sri Ram Sagar Reservoir (SRSP), also known as the Pochampadu Project, is a critical multipurpose wetland ecosystem located on the Godavari River in the Nizamabad and Nirmal districts of Telangana. While primarily an irrigation and hydroelectric project, its vast backwaters and diverse catchment areas have evolved into a vital refuge for regional wildlife.
The reservoir and its environs support a complex mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, including deep open waters, shallow marshes, reedbeds (Phragmites and Typha), and adjacent deciduous forest patches like the Mallaram Forest. The backwaters are a major destination for migratory birds. Notable sightings include the Common Crane, which migrates from Europe to winter here, and various species of storks, ducks, and teals. Resident species such as Peacocks and various "rare birds" are frequently observed in the surrounding scrub and forest areas. The environs are home to various ungulates, including Spotted Deer/Chital, which roam the project area. The proximity to forest patches allows for a crossover of smaller mammals such as Indian Hares and Jackals.
The Godavari River system at this location supports over 26 fish species, dominated by the order Cypriniformes. Common fish include major carps and various catfish, which sustain both the local avian predators and a vibrant fishing industry. The riverbed and banks feature a diversity of aquatic macrophytes, including 30 different species of submerged, free-floating, and emergent plants (e.g., Typha angustifolia) that provide essential nesting material for birds like the Streaked Weaver.
Criticality as a Habitat
The SRSP serves as a "lifeline" for wildlife in the Deccan plateau for several reasons:
Water Security: It provides a perennial water source in a semi-arid region, crucial for both resident and migratory species during the dry summer months.
Nesting Grounds: The dense reedbeds along the shoreline are indispensable for communal nesters like the Streaked Weaver and various heron species.
Migratory Stopover: As a significant inland wetland, it serves as a critical stopover and wintering site along migratory flyways for waterbirds.
Despite its ecological importance, the reservoir faces several escalating threats:
Sedimentation: India's reservoirs, including SRSP, are losing significant storage capacity due to siltation caused by agriculture-driven soil erosion and deforestation in the upstream catchment areas. As of 2025, SRSP's actual retention capacity is significantly lower than its original 90 TMC design due to this silt build-up.
Water Quality Issues: Extensive upstream water utilization in Maharashtra has led to high alkalinity and salinity in the reservoir, which can be detrimental to sensitive aquatic life and cattle.
Structural and Safety Risks: In late 2025, dam safety warnings issued for related projects (like the Singur Dam) highlighted the broader risk of structural damage and the need for restricted storage levels, which can disrupt the stable water levels required for shore-nesting birds.
Invasive Species: The spread of exotic aquatic plants can choke native vegetation and alter the habitat structure of the marshes.
The backwaters of SRSP offer a serene, lush landscape perfect for bird photography. The most productive months for photographing these weavers are during the monsoon (June to September) when males are in their vibrant breeding plumage and actively building nests. Look for dense patches of reeds (Phragmites) and cattails (Typha) along the shoreline, which are their preferred nesting sites. They are highly social; you will often find them in large, vocal flocks.
Indian Pond Heron
While photographing wetlands, if you ever find yourself looking at a bird that appears to be studying the water with intense focus, you may have just spotted a member of the heron family. These medium and large-sized birds, characterised by their long neck and legs, are widespread and are found in all continents except for Antarctica. India is home to nine heron species, many of which are found across the country. While most of the heron species in India are designated as Least Concern from a conservation point of view, degradation of wetlands and pollution of water bodies are threats that impact local populations. The fact that heron populations and threats to them are not well-studied further confounds conservation of the species.
In 2020, Nature Conservation Foundation conducted the first-ever survey of the critically endangered White-bellied Herons across 81 sites in northeast India. The study found that various anthropogenic activities like sand/gravel mining, hydropower projects and garbage dumping impacted the sighting of the bird in specific regions. More importantly, the study highlighted that protection of herons needs more focused research and greater awareness among the public. This revelation comes to us at a time when we have lost a significant percentage of wetlands. According to the Wetland International South Asia, India has lost a third of its wetlands to pollution, developmental and agricultural activities in the last four decades. Herons are among the many birds that depend on these water bodies, which makes it imperative that we look at the species in isolation to devise better conservation practices suited to them.
A small heron that is common in most aquatic habitats across the Indian subcontinent, the Indian Pond-Heron, or the Paddybird, sports a streaked appearance on its head and neck and has brown and black feathers. Adults in breeding plumage have a dark reddish brown back that contrasts with a yellowish head, neck, and breast. In nonbreeding plumage they are virtually indistinguishable from nonbreeding Chinese Pond-Heron. 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 and they are prone to seasonally local movements and vagrancy. Pond-herons prefer shallow water bodies as habitats and are also seen near rice fields, irrigated agricultural land and man-made reservoirs. The bird is known to stand still, akin to a statue, while on the lookout for fish, frogs, insects, water bugs and beetles. Pond-herons are some of the most common heron species and are well-adapted to breeding and nesting near human-occupied spaces.
As a follow-up to our look at the Little Egret, the Indian Pond Heron is its frequent neighbor in the wetlands of Telangana. While the Little Egret is a flashy, hyperactive hunter, the Pond Heron is the "ghost" of the marsh—invisible until it moves.
In the field, these two species often share the same niche, but they offer vastly different photographic experiences:
The Little Egret: A pursuit predator. You capture it mid-dash, wings flared, "dancing" through the water to flush prey.
The Indian Pond Heron: A patient "stand-and-wait" specialist. It remains motionless for minutes, providing high-detail portrait opportunities.
Physically the Indian Pond Heron is a small, stocky heron measuring approximately 40–46 cm in length with a wingspan of 75–90 cm. Its weight generally ranges from 230–276 grams, though some specimens may reach up to 400 grams. The Indian Pond Heron is currently recognized as monotypic (no widely accepted subspecies), though a variant from the Maldives (phillipsi) is occasionally cited.
The Indian Pond Herons non-breeding plumage is predominantly grey-brown or buff-brown with heavy streaking on the neck and breast, providing near-perfect camouflage in marshy grass. During breeding it undergoes a dramatic shift, developing a maroon-chestnut back and yellowish-buff head and neck. Regardless of season, its most distinctive feature is the pure white wings and tail, which remain hidden at rest but flash brilliantly upon takeoff. While normally greenish-yellow, the legs of some individuals turn bright red or salmon-pink during peak courtship.
The Indian Pond Heron is native to the Indian Subcontinent, extending from southern Iran through Pakistan and India to Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In Telangana, they are ubiquitous, frequently sighted at urban and peri-urban hotspots such as the Ameenpur Lake (a prominent site for bird photography), the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs and the paddy fields in the districts of Medak, Nalgonda, and Siddipet.
Its preferred habitat is shallow aquatic environments, including ponds, lakes, marshes, and paddy fields. They are highly adaptable, often nesting in trees within busy urban areas. The Indian Pond Heron is principally sedentary; however, they undertake local movements based on water availability or seasonal droughts.
They are known for a "stand-and-wait" strategy, they can remain motionless for long periods, leading to folk beliefs that they are "half-blind". They are typically solitary foragers but may gather in loose groups during dry seasons where prey is concentrated. They are opportunistic carnivores feeding on small fish, tadpoles, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally small reptiles or leeches.
Field Identification and Photography Tips
Identification: Look for a stocky, short-necked bird with a yellow bill tipped with black. It is significantly smaller than the Gray Heron and lacks the black head-streaking found in the Squacco Heron.
Photography Tip: Because they allow close approach before flushing, one can often capture detailed portraits. To capture the "white flash" of the wings, wait for the bird to feel slightly disturbed or prepare for takeoff as you can see in the photos below.
They start to breed with the monsoon (chiefly June to September in Telangana). They are semi-colonial breeders, constructing small stick platforms in leafy trees like Banyan or Neem. They are classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to their large population and extreme adaptability to human-modified landscapes.
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