Least Concern (LC)

25–29 cm in length; a small, compact waterbird with a rounded body, short pointed bill and very short tail.

Resident in India; it may make local movements between wetlands depending on water conditions.

No regular long-distance migration in India.

Mainly April–October in India, with breeding often associated with the monsoon season; local timing can vary.

Ponds, lakes, marshes and other freshwater wetlands with suitable emergent or floating vegetation for nesting.

Well-vegetated ponds, lakes, marshes, reservoirs and slow-moving water, usually with open water among aquatic vegetation.

Mainly small fish and aquatic invertebrates, including insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs.