burr call is used when rival herons approach the nest. Distribution and habitat The Malagasy pond herons breed in Madagascar, Réunion and the Seychelles. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to eastern mainland Africa, in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In Madagascar, some of the locations where commonly observed include Lake Alarobia and Tsimbazaza Park (both near Antananarivo), wetlands around Ampijoroa and at Berenty. As a result, their estimated area of occurrence is . They occupy a broad range of Madagascan habitats that include small grassy marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, and rice fields. Those that populate the Aldabra region are commonly located in mangroves, inland pools, and lagoon shores. It can be found from sea level to elevation levels up to . Behaviour One of the key behavioural habits of the Malagasy pond heron is its yearly migratory pattern. It migrates from Madagascar to the eastern mainland of Africa in May and journeys back to its breeding range in October. Those that have not matured into adult life remain in the non-breeding areas, as there is no benefit in travelling to the breeding zone. In terms of interaction, this species is very territorial and communication with other rival birds is limited. As such, they will remain at least apart if nesting or in flight due to their inconspicuous nature. One observation found two Malagasy pond herons fighting, grasping at each other's bills in the motion of flight. In Africa, instances such as this are scarce as there is rarely more than two on the same body of water. Nesting tends to be done along the coast and foraging for food is performed well inland, away from the nests. In fact, the closest that an individual heron will get to another apart from breeding is during roosting in their nests. Habitat degradation has resulted in closer roosting and has become integrated with other heron species such as cattle egrets and squacco herons. Diet There is very limited knowledge on the feeding habits of the Madagascan pond heron but it is thought to feed solely on fish, insects and small invertebrates. It may occasionally eat small reptiles such as skink and geckos. A small study of a single Malagasy heron in Madagascar showed a diet that included frogs, dragonflies, beetles and grasshoppers. Amphibians are for the most part absent on Aldabra and Mayotte, so feeding