A forest-dwelling heron that breeds in India from May to August.
Adults have a black crown and crest, rufous-brown head and neck, and black streaks on the breast.
In India, it breeds in trees, usually nesting about 5–8 metres above the ground.
Both parents build stick platforms, incubate, and feed the young. Clutches contain three to five eggs, usually three, and nests may be lined with leaves or grass.
Juveniles are dull grey-brown above, spotted and barred white and buff. Their white underparts have brown spots and bars, and the dark crown has white markings.
Adults have short, stout, downcurved bills, dark brown above and green below. Blue-green lores become blue during breeding and fade towards blue-green or grey-green after courtship.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.