The Malayan night heron, also known as Malaysian night heron and tiger bittern, is a medium-sized heron. It is distributed in southern and eastern Asia.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
The Malayan night heron occurs from northeastern India and Bangladesh through Myanmar and mainland Southeast Asia into Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, and north into southern China and Taiwan. It favors shaded woodlands and forest edges near streams, swamps, and rice paddies. In some cities, especially in Taiwan, it frequents parks and gardens with moist lawns. It typically keeps to dense cover by day and emerges to feed at dawn, dusk, and at night.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the tiger bittern, the Malayan night heron is a secretive, crepuscular heron that often forages quietly on shaded forest floors and even city lawns after rain. In Taiwan it has adapted well to urban parks, where it can become surprisingly tame. Its name melanolophus refers to the dark crest adults can raise when alert.
Malayan night heron in Hsinchu, Taiwan
Juvenile
Malayan night heron (Gorsachius melanolophus)
Temperament
secretive and mostly crepuscular
Flight Pattern
steady, low flights with deliberate wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, keeping to dense cover while roosting by day. Nests are placed in trees or dense shrubs near water, typically as isolated pairs rather than large colonies. Both sexes help build the nest and care for the young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include a soft booming hoo or whoop at dusk and night, along with harsh croaks. Calls are most frequent during the breeding season and often given from concealed perches.
