The Malagasy pond heron is a migratory bird, seen primarily in the outer islands of the Seychelles, Madagascar, and countries on the east coast of Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is also called a Madagascar pond heron, or Madagascar squacco heron. The species in general has long crest, red legs, blue beak with a red tip and blue bare skin around the eyes. Strangely, the plumage of the birds becomes streaked with brown, and the crown turns completely brown when the species is not breeding.
The habitats of the herons can be seen in freshwater wetlands, typically with nearby tree-cover.
In 2007, the IUCN Red List classified the Madagascar pond heron as an endangered species. It was the result of a population decline caused mainly by over-harvesting of eggs, and the clearing of habitats. In addition to these, there is also a competition for food and habitat with other herons too. This also caused the decline in their number.
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