A grey-headed swamphen struts through a wetland in Chattogram. Large and striking with vibrant plumages, these birds are found in South and Southeast Asia, typically in wetlands, marshes, and along lakesides, where they can thrive amid dense vegetation and also conceal themselves from predators. As omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, they prefer plant material like seeds, stems and leaves of aquatic plants as their primary food source. While foraging, they use their long legs to wade through shallow waters. They can fly, but prefer being on their feet and are known to be quite agile on ground and in water. Though the grey-headed swamphen is currently listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, habitat destruction, particularly the draining of wetlands, can affect their populations.

PHOTO: M HAIDER ALI