Photo: Ariefrahman / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Herons, Pelicans & Ibises

Javan Pond Heron

Ardeola speciosa

Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of South & Southeast Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 18 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of Indonesia Birds of India Birds of Japan Birds of Malaysia Birds of the Philippines Birds of Thailand Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Western Australia

By family

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of Australia Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of Indonesia Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of India Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of Japan Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of Malaysia Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of the Philippines Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of Thailand Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of Northern Territory Herons, Egrets & Bitterns of Western Australia

See what's near you right now

The Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 253 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
Genus Ardeola
Species speciosa

Where it lives

Thailand through Philippines, Sulawesi region and Lesser Sundas

South & Southeast Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 253 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Ardeidae
Order: Pelecaniformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Not Evaluated

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Javan Pond Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Javan Pond Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa) is a species of bird in the Ardeidae family, part of the order Pelecaniformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Thailand through Philippines, Sulawesi region and Lesser Sundas.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 253 g, with a wing length of about 19 cm and a tail of around 6.3 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 611,000 km².

Songs & calls

Javan Pond Heron — Call

Recorded by Sam Hambly Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Javan Pond Heron?

The Javan Pond Heron is a large bird that weighs around 253 g.

Where does the Javan Pond Heron live?

The Javan Pond Heron is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Thailand through Philippines, Sulawesi region and Lesser Sundas, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Javan Pond Heron belong to?

The Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.

What does the Javan Pond Heron eat?

The Javan Pond Heron hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Javan Pond Heron migrate?

The Javan Pond Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Javan Pond Heron endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Javan Pond Heron make?

1 real field recording of the Javan Pond Heron — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Javan Pond Heron's range?

The Javan Pond Heron has a mapped global range of about 611,000 km².