Adult Bird:
The forehead, eyebrows, sides of the head, and the ventral surface are white from the chin to the posterior abdomen. The dorsal surface, wings, and flanks are a dark grayish-black, slightly tinged with yellowish-green. The tail is typically brown. The tail and flight feathers are pale black, with a white outer web on the first primary feather. The posterior flanks, thighs, and undertail coverts are rufous (reddish-brown). The axillary feathers and underwing coverts are grayish-black with white edges. Eyes are brown (in juveniles) or red (in adults). The beak is green, the base of the upper mandible is red, and the tip of the lower mandible is slightly yellow. The legs are pale yellow-green.
Juvenile Bird:
Newly hatched chicks have glossy black plumage. As they approach the size of an adult, the plumage becomes paler, the breast is grayish-rufous, and the abdomen is gray.
Measurements:
Wing: 144 – 180 mm; Tail: 64 mm; Tarsus: 55 mm; Bill: 36 – 41 mm.
Distribution:
The White-breasted Waterhen is distributed in India, Myanmar, Thailand, South China, and Indochina.
Vietnam: This species is common in most low-lying areas below 500 meters, especially in plains and midlands, near water with dense bushes.