A large heron that waits for fish in shallow water. Its grey body contrasts with its chestnut head, neck, and belly.
Adults have a grey body with a chestnut head, neck, and belly.
It waits quietly in shallow coastal or inland water, then spears fish with its bill.
Juveniles have paler, more rufous chestnut areas and a brown tinge to the grey plumage. Their black-and-white neck striping is less distinct, and they lack elongated plumes.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.