Ardeola bacchus

(Bonaparte, 1855)

Vernacular names
English : Chinese pond-heron
French : Crabier chinois

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ardeidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grow to 52 cm in length for a weight of 332 g. Long yellow bill with black tip, yellow legs. Breeding adults have white belly and white wings, black back with feather fringes on wings. Dark chestnut red-brown head, crest and breast.

Range and habitat
The species breeds from eastern India to eastern half of China, Japan, Korea and far eastern Russia. Winters in Indochina, Malaysia and greater Sundas. Lives mostly in lowland paddyfields, swamps, ponds and mangroves, up to 4000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common and apparently expanding its range. Locally, declines noted because of harvesting of eggs for local food habits.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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