This heron changes its head and breast plumage between breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Its white wings stand out in flight, and it moves within Southeast Asia.
In breeding plumage, the head and neck are reddish brown and the back is black, contrasting with white wings. Outside that season, the head to breast is white with brown streaks. In nonbreeding plumage, the back is dark brown and the wings are white.
It uses mangroves and moves within Southeast Asia from its breeding areas. In Singapore, it is recorded around Sungei Buloh Kechil and in trees along the edge of the buffer pond.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.