Dark, chunky, handsome heron. There are white spectacles around the eyes and a white patch on the back; the latter is hard to see except in flight. Scarce and retiring species that is rarely seen without expressly searching for it. Found along rivers and streams. Strictly nocturnal; roosts during the day in thick waterside vegetation. Call is a rough “krak,” higher-pitched than the call of Black-crowned Night-Heron. Immature similar to immature Black-crowned Night-Heron but shows a white ring around the eye and a black cap.