Swamp Hens, Pond Herons & Bitterns

Click on any of the smaller photographs below, to enlarge the image and see the caption.

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) - Found in swamps, reeds and tanks with vegetation in the lowlands. Feeds on vegetation and is a good swimmer. (1)

Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) - In its breeding plumage. This common bird is found at or near the waters edge of ponds, lakes, rivers or marshes. Eats fish, frogs and invertebrates. (1)

Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) - This is a non-breeding plumage Pond Heron.

Striated Heron (Butorides striatus) Juvenile - Dark coloured heron with a black crown and crest. Feeds alone and keeps close to cover. Lives on riverbanks and tank edges. (1)

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus) The golden-orange head, neck and dorsal feathers show this is coming into the breeding season. (1,2)

Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) - This is a non-breeding plumage Pond Heron on a large Lotus lily-pad.

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) Juvenile - Usually nocturnal, but can be seen at dusk, like this one. Climbs on waterside vegetation. (1)

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) - Juvenile hiding In grass at dusk.

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) - Wading in the pool at Jetwing Vil Uyana near Sigiriya.

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) - Also explores on dry land near water.

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) - Commonly found in wet areas with vegetation, but can be seen in the Vihara Maha Devi Park in the centre of Colombo. (1)

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) - Found in swamps, reeds and tanks with vegetation in the lowlands. Feeds on vegetation and is a good swimmer. (1)

The photographs below are on a slider. Use the thumbnail images or arrows ↔ to move right or left.

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)

Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)

Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) Juvenile

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis)

Striated Heron (Butorides striatus) Juvenile

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

Sri Lanka. So much more than you can see in a lifetime.

Bird References
1. Harrison J. A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011.
2. Henry G.M. A Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 3rd edn. Colombo: Oxford University Press; 1998.