Chinese Heron Sighted in Uttarakhand | 20 May 2024

Why in News?

Recently, The Chinese Pond Heron, a bird usually found in the northeastern states, Rajasthan and Bhutan, has been seen for the first time in Uttarakhand.

Key Points

  • According to experts, there was no record of the presence of the Chinese Pond Heron in Uttarakhand.
    • For the first time, the bird has chosen the Kotdwar area of Lansdowne forest division for breeding.
  • Many migratory birds are visible in the dense forests of Saneh area of Kotdwar and Lansdowne forest division during the summer.
    • The arrival of birds from northeastern states here is an indication that the environment here is favourable for them.

Chinese Pond Heron

  • The Chinese pond heron (Ardeola bacchus) is an East Asian freshwater bird of the heron family.
    • It is one of six species of birds known as "pond herons" (genus Ardeola).
  • It is typically 47 cm (19 in) long with white wings, a yellow bill with a black tip, yellow eyes and legs.
    • Its overall colour is red, blue and white during breeding season, and greyish-brown and flecked with white at other times.
  • It is found in shallow fresh and saltwater wetlands and ponds.
  • It is fairly common and considered a Least concern (LC) species by the IUCN Red List.