Butorides striata (Linnaeus, 1758)

The striated heron is a small heron species usually found around streams, lakes and ponds which have dense shrubby growth in the margins. It is also found in coastal backwaters, mangrove swamps and tidal creeks. In Tiruvannamalai it has been seen mainly in Adiannamalai Eri. A little smaller than the pond heron, this stocky, short-legged bird has a glossy greenish-black forehead, crown and crest. Its cheeks are white and the head and neck are grey. The upperparts are slaty grey glossed with dark green and bronze-green and the wing-coverts are a dark glossy green. The underparts are greyish. Crepuscular and nocturnal, this solitary, shy bird is also active during the day (keeping to shady watercourses) when it is cloudy and overcast. It is often found in secluded rock pools in jungle streams overgrown with jamun seedlings and similar bushes, sitting on some projecting root a few inches above the water and flicking its tail up and down like a kingfisher. Preferring the same spot day after day, it waits patiently and jabs at anything edible that swims or floats past. It also quietly creeps along the water’s edge and lunges at any prospective prey which includes fish, shrimps, frogs, crabs, mudfish and beetles. Normally silent, it utters a K’yow, K’yow or K ’ yek, K ’yek when alarmed and flying off. Breeding between March and September, the nest is a small platform of twigs 3 to 4m above ground in a small tree or concealed among bushes on the edge of a stream or pond. Both parents incubate and feed the young by regurgitation.

Butorides striata sundevalli (Reichenow 1877); Butorides striata atricapilla (Afzelius 1804); Butorides striata rutenbergi (Hartlaud 1880); Butorides striata brevipes (Ehrenberg 1833); Butorides striata crawfordi (Nicoll 1906); Butorides striata rhizophorae (Salomonsen 1934); etc

They nest in shrubs, bushes and trees overhanging near water bodies, in well-concealed locations. However they occasionally nest over dry land. They nest in a platform of sticks measuring between 20–40 cm long and 0.5–5 mm thick. The entire nest measures some 40–50 cm wide and 8–10 cm high outside, with an inner depression 20 cm wide and 4–5 cm deep. It has a clutch size of 2–5 eggs, which are pale blue in colour.

The majority of this species is sedentary although northern breeding populations are observed to be migratory and populations in Africa may tend to perform local movements relating to seasonal rainfall.

The Straited Heron is small in size, length ranges from 35 to 45 cm, Wingspan measures from 62 to 68 cm. It weighs on an average of 193 to 235 g.

They mainly eat small fish, frogs, crustaceans, earthworms, aquatic insects, etc. It feeds primarily by Standing in shallow water or next to the water. It feeds in a characteristic Crouched posture, with its body parallel to the water. The head is withdrawn or extended as it waits for long period between strikes. It also Stands on branches overhanging the water and stabs into the water, sometimes submerging itself. It Walks slowly in very shallow water, along the shore, or along branches. It is so slow that its foot may be kept raised for 30 seconds between its consecutive steps.

Predator/Prey Interaction

Rivers, lakes, marshes with dense vegetation on the banks, rice fields.

The Striated Heron uses a variety of inland and coastal habitats, and ocean islands. It especially found near small and large brushy river edges, river swamps, the edges of forested rivers and streams, lake margins, salt flats, woods, sand, muddy or rocky shores, pools, and in human made habitat such as rice fields, canals, and ponds.

The overall population trend of the Straites Heron is decreasing.

IUCN Redlist Status: Not Evaluated

Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern ver 3.1

The species is threatened by human disturbance, pesticides, habitat destruction, etc.