Face is white, neck cinnamon-gray with white ventral stripe spotted with dark. Body and wings are blue-gray. Legs are very long and dark.
Sexes are similar with the male larger.
The immatures are pale and have a black crown with plumes. Behavior Harsh, guttural croaks. The heron fishes by stealth, staying motionless until its prey swims within reach of its long stabbing beak. Reproduction Nests may be built on ground, rock ledges, sea cliffs, tops of tall cypresses or pines. The nests are often flimsy platforms of sticks 18 inches across.