Chinese Pond Heron

Frequents rice paddies, ponds and marshes across East and Southeast Asia, standing motionless or stalking slowly at the water's edge to ambush fish, frogs and insects. In breeding plumage it shows a rich chestnut head and neck against a slate back, but outside the breeding season it turns a streaky buff-brown that blends almost invisibly into reeds and mud. Early morning or dusk at quiet wetland margins, including rice fields and urban ponds, gives the best chance of a clear look.