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Chinese Pond-heron – plumage transition/changes

on 30th April 2019

“I had an opportunity this morning to observe Chinese Pond-herons (Ardeola bacchus) for 1.5 hours. There were 11 birds foraging together in a vacant large property, where they were offered some security by fencing and a gate. Some references (HBW 2019, IUCN-SCC Heron Specialist Group) suggest that they are usually solitary, in pairs or small flocks of 5-6 birds. But this has not always been my experience and I have seen larger number foraging together, like today. Wells 1999 says ‘forages alone, but loafs socially and is strongly gregarious when on the move and at roosts‘. Jeyarajasingam 2012 says ‘usually in loose flocks while feeding but gathers in large numbers when commuting between feeding and roosting sites‘.

Changes/transition of 6 birds – showing head and neck.

“I have more to say about the foraging observations but want to start with plumage transition or changes from non-breeding to breeding. The 11 birds were in different stages of transition and I tried to document the change happening. I have made an assumption here that all the birds are Chinese Pond-herons (our vastly predominant migrant Pond-heron) and not the uncommon Javan or Indian Pond-herons.

Changes/transition of 6 birds – showing side view.

“Of the 11 birds 4 were still in non-breeding plumage and the rest had changes, some significant enough to support they were Chinese Pond-herons. Note that I am not able to account for changes of 1st winter birds vs older adults or male vs female variation in plumage.

Changes/transition of 6 birds – showing front view.

“The three composites above show key changes/transition of 6 birds – head and neck, side view and front view (this last composite is the least successful).

Bill Changes
“The bill in the non-breeding birds has a darker upper mandible. The distal one third is generally black in all phases but non-breeding birds may have some yellow at the tip of the lower mandible. The upper mandible gradually clears from black to orange-yellow. Note also that the yellow of the bill deepens to an orange-yellow. Note that bird 6 has still not fully developed breeding plumage as the upper mandible still has some black. However I have seen birds with yellow proximal bills and distal black bills whose plumage is still in transition and wonder if this is a sign of maturity (1st winter birds vs older adults) but I suspect more likely individual variation. Some references suggest that the bill turns bluish at the base in breeding but I have seen this feature in all the birds.

Plumage Changes
“One of the first changes that occurs is the darkening of the feathers on the mantle and back. The feathers of the head and neck then turn maroon and deepen to a rich wine-chestnut. While at the same time the mantle and back darkens to a deep black with extended plumes. Finally, the nape and breast develop extended maroon plumes.

“If you look at the head and neck composite you will note some variation in plumage transition. Note that bird 3 and 4 could be interchanged – bird 3 has a darker/richer neck but bird 4 a darker back and mantle. I chose this alignment after discussion with my wife and both of us agree independently (gut feeling). Also bird 4 and 5 look similar on the full body composite but the close-up shows that bird 4 has better developed plumage all round. I am only showing a few images here and watching them for 1.5 hours with 350 images and some videos does allow me to observe their features better.

“As always happy for comments and opinions.”

References:
1.
Martínez-Vilalta, A., Motis, A. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Chinese Pond-heron (Ardeola bacchus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona available HERE.
2. The IUCN-SCC Heron Specialist Group. Heron Conservation: Chinese Pond-heron available HERE.
3. Wells, D.R. (1999) The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Vol. 1 (Non-Passarines). Christopher Helm, London
4. Allen Jeyarajasingam & Alan Pearson (2012) A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. OUP Oxford.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
8th April 2019

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Urban city environment

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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