Found in parts of Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Assam Valley in the east and Sri Lanka in the south, the Night Heron (Nycticorax nictycorax) is almost always seen alone. A large, stocky bird, the Night Heron grows up to 58 cm in height and has a thick neck that ends in a large head adorned with a beautiful jet-black crest. Bulbous eyes with a red iris are a very prominent part of the face. It has a rather thick, swollen-looking beak. The bird is white in colour with pastel-grey wings and tail. Fledglings are more brownish in colour with broad white streaks on the mantle and wing-covers.

It wears finer stripes on the head and several brown stripes on its neck and underparts of the body. Night Herons are found mainly in inland waters, estuaries, coastal lagoons and backwaters.