Successful nesting of a pair of Grey Herons Ardea cinerea in Kollam, an urban agglomeration in India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The Grey Heron Ardea cinerea is a large wading bird indigenous to temperate areas of Europe, Asia and Africa; it plays a vital role as an environmental indicator due to its status as a top predator in freshwater ecosystems. Despite the presence of numerous heronries in India, breeding records for this species are notably limited. This study reports the first successful urban nesting of the Grey Heron in South Kerala, India. Observations were carried out at Ashtamudi Lake, recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, where a pair successfully raised three fledglings on a Samanea saman tree in a busy urban setting. This breeding event, which occurred outside the conventional monsoon season and in an urbanized area, emphasizes the species' adaptability and potential for successful synurbanization. The findings offer insights into the breeding ecology of the Grey Heron, its nesting behaviors in urban environments, and its resilience in the context of human-induced changes.
Source: Biodiversity Observations
DOI: 10.15641/bo.1629
Authors: Pathissery John Sarlin, Sancia Morris, Amal Krishnan S, Oygan J, Savio Morris, Sandie Morris, Polycarp Joseph
Language: English
Topic: Avian ecology and behavior
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408928715