The endangered Madagascar pond heron (Ardeola idae) breeds in Madagascar and nearby islands. In breeding plumage it is all white with long crest and scapular plumes, a blue bill with a dark tip, and reddish legs. It prefers shallow freshwater wetlands, including marshes, lakes, ponds, and rice fields, and are also found in mangroves and on the seashore. It spends the non-breeding season in eastern mainland Africa.
