The Javan Squid Heron (Ardeola speciosa) is a bird of the heron family and is common in Thailand. You often see them when you are on the road, the birds fly over the road, fish in ditches along the road and you see them near farmland.
The Javan Squid Heron is a small, stocky heron with a body length of up to 45 centimeters. In the winter plumage the head is olive and yellow brown striped. The beak is yellow with a gray shading on the upper side and a blue tinted base. The back is dull brown, the tail and wings are white. The legs are light yellow-green. Overall, the bird can be compared to the Chinese and Indian Squid Heron. In mating season the bird is in breeding plumage with a golden yellow head, neck and crest and two long, white ornamental feathers. At the base of the neck, red feathers form a ruff and long, slate-grey back feathers reach to the tail. There is no difference in plumage between males and females. Juveniles resemble adult birds in winter plumage.
The Javan Squid Heron breeds from June to September. It breeds in small colonies, often together with other heron species. It is considered a migratory bird. The bird feeds on small fish, crustaceans and insects. To catch it, it lurks almost motionless, and then strikes quickly with its beak.
