Madagascar Pond Heron
Ardeola idae
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPelecaniformes (Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies)
- FamilyArdeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
- GenusArdeola (Pond Herons)
- SpeciesArdeola idae (Madagascar Pond Heron)
About the Madagascar Pond Heron
The Malagasy pond heron (Ardeola idae), also known as the Madagascar pond heron or Madagascar squacco heron, is a species of heron of the family Ardeidae. They breed in Madagascar, Réunion and the Seychelles, and spend the non-breeding season in eastern mainland Africa. As of 2021, the population is estimated to number between 1,000 – 2,500 adults and the species is considered endangered.
The Malagasy pond heron was first described in 1860 by German physician and ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub. The species is monotypic, without distinct subspecies. Malagasy pond herons grow to 45–50 cm (18–20 in) in height and anywhere from 250–350 g (9–12 oz) in weight. There is not a large variation in weight between the sexes as they are quite similar in bone body structure. feather, eye, and bill colour are determined by life stage (chick, juvenile, and adult) and reproductive status.
The adults appearance can be split into the non-breeding plumage and the breeding stage. When the species is not breeding, the crown and the posterior are a colour mixture of buff and black with brown prominent over the other parts of the body. The bill is predominately green with a... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Madagascar Pond Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ankarafantsika National Park
Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloides
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Black Heron
Egretta ardesiaca
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Humblot's Heron
Ardea humbloti
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Madagascar Ibis
Lophotibis cristata
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankarafantsika National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 2 | Mikumi National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 3 | Berenty Reserve | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 4 | Arusha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 5 | Ranomafana National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 6 | Nairobi National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 7 | Amboseli National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 8 | Tsavo East National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 9 | Serengeti National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 10 | Masai Mara National Reserve | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 11 | Akagera National Park | 🇷🇼 Rwanda | |
| 12 | Samburu National Reserve | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 13 | Tarangire National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 14 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 15 | Tsavo West National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 16 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 17 | Virunga National Park | 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Madagascar Pond Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Madagascar Pond Heron sighting in Ankarafantsika National Park, based on 61 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Madagascar Pond Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Madagascar Pond Heron in Ankarafantsika National Park in our monthly data.