Malayan Night Heron
Gorsachius melanolophus
Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of South & Southeast Asia.
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The Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 412 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Gorsachius
- Species melanolophus
Where it lives
W Ghats (southwestern India), northeastern India through southeastern Asia and southeastern China to Philippines, Peleng (Banggai Is., east of Sulawesi)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 412 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Malayan Night Heron is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Malayan Night Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) is a member of the Ardeidae family, within the order Pelecaniformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR W Ghats (sw India), ne India through se Asia and se China to Philippines, Peleng (Banggai Is., e of Sulawesi).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 412 g, with a wing length of about 25.5 cm and a tail of around 9.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Malayan Night Heron?
The Malayan Night Heron is a large bird that weighs around 412 g.
Where does the Malayan Night Heron live?
The Malayan Night Heron is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR W Ghats (sw India), ne India through se Asia and se China to Philippines, Peleng (Banggai Is., e of Sulawesi), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Malayan Night Heron belong to?
The Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Malayan Night Heron eat?
The Malayan Night Heron is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Malayan Night Heron migrate?
The Malayan Night Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Malayan Night Heron endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Malayan Night Heron make?
1 real field recording of the Malayan Night Heron — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Malayan Night Heron's range?
The Malayan Night Heron has a mapped global range of about 1.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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