Adult Plumage:
The forehead and crown are brown, with a slightly rufous tinge anteriorly and a darker shade posteriorly. The sides of the head and neck are pale greyish-rufous, while the chin and throat are nearly white. This color transitions to a greyish-yellowish-rufous on the breast, becoming bright rufous-brown on the lower breast, belly, and flanks, gradually fading towards the tail base. The back and shoulders are brown, with each feather edged with rufous tips. The flanks are pale black. The upper tail coverts are rufous. The tail is brown. The lesser and median wing coverts are rufous-brown. The greater wing coverts are dark brown. The flight feathers are dark brown or black, depending on the location. The eyes are dark brown, and the eyelids are yellow. The bill is grey or black. The legs are greyish-brown.
Measurements:
Wing: 180 – 205 mm; Tail: 63 – 76 mm; Tarsus: 40 – 50 mm; Bill: 43 – 56 mm.
Distribution:
This species nests in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Southern China, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.
In Vietnam, this species is found throughout the plains and in ponds and lakes in the midland region.