Interesting record and photographs.
Handbook of the Birds of the World states that the Chinese Pond Heron feeds on "Small frogs, worms, aquatic invertebrates, fish, molluscs, worms, some terrestrial insects and even small birds."
I imagine small birds make up a very small part of their diet and it is a matter of opportunistic feeding; i.e. Chinese Pond Herons may spend a long time stalking mud-skippers out on the mud flats, for example, but will only take small birds if the birds blunder into their vicinity.
Doubt there are many photographs out there showing a Chinese Pond Heron taking a Eurasian Tree Sparrow!!
David
www.birdinghongkong.com
