A mile north of Ubud is the small village of Petulu whose only claim to fame are the flocks of thousands of Java pond herons and white cattle, little and short-billed egrets that arrive in flying V-formation just before dusk to roost in the tress of Petulu. The birds mysteriously began appearing in 1965 and are believed to be the souls of the Balinese victims that were killed during the coup that year. The villagers of Petulu hold a special ceremony for these birds twice a year on the Balinese auspicious day of Saniscara Kliwon Landep.

Every afternoon one can enjoy the spectacular sight of thousands of herons arriving home to Petula. They nest in the trees along the road and make a spectacular sight as they fly in and start squabbling over the prime perching places.