Pelecaniformes / Ardeidae / Ardeola
Chinese Pond Heron
Ardeola bacchus · 池鹭
Introduction
A freshwater bird of the heron family (Ardeidae) found in East Asia. It is one of six species in the genus Ardeola and forms a superspecies with the Indian and Javan pond herons. The species is fairly common and not considered threatened by the IUCN.
Description
Typically 47 cm (19 in) long. Features white wings, a yellow bill with a black tip, and yellow eyes and legs. Breeding plumage displays red, blue, and white colors, while non-breeding plumage is greyish-brown and flecked with white.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in shallow fresh and salt water wetlands and ponds in China and adjacent temperate and subtropical East Asia. Essentially a lowland bird, its range is delimited by subarctic regions in the north and mountain ranges in the west and south. Prone to vagrancy, with records in Burma and a stray occurrence on Saint Paul Island, Alaska.
Behavior & Ecology
Feeds on insects, fish, and crustaceans. Often nests in mixed-species heronries. Lays a clutch of 3–6 blue-green eggs.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Genus
- Ardeola
Distribution
lowlands of southern Asia; winters to Greater Sundas
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
