Two nearly identical species of pond-heron winter along the coast of Central Thailand. They differ in breeding plumage but are virtually indistinguishable in non-breeding plumage such as this. Chinese averages a slightly longer bill compared to Javan. The claim that Javan has less dark at the tip of the wing is not reliable.
Specimen and banding data support the idea that birds inland are almost all Chinese Pond Herons, but along the coast both species occur in good numbers. This individual was floating on debris in the Chin River and appeared to be hunting small Needlefish (Belonidae).
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA |hand-held (no adapter).