China (mainland) (P), Hong Kong (China) (P), Indonesia (NB), Japan (B), Philippines (NB), Russia (Asian) (NB), South Korea (NB), Taiwan (China) (B) (NB) (P).
Vagrant to Brunei Darussalam (NB), Palau (NB).
Breeds in southern Japan, on Honshu, Shikoku and possibly Kyushu; winters from Ryukyu Is, Volcano Is and south-eastern China to Philippines.
Breeds in Japan, and winters in the Philippines and Indonesia, but also seen in spring and summer in Korea and the Russian Far East. There has been a recent sighting on Christmas Island (November 2007) - confirmation pending.
 
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 2,499 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Deforestation in both its breeding and non-breeding ranges is the main threat.
Endangered. Most likely due to de-forestation in its summer and winter ranges, and by the introduction of the Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica) into its breeding range.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) [XC482779]
by Jungmoon Ha from Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea (song)
Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) [XC483075]
by Sunny Tseng from Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea (song)
Breeding Season (Guide)
Does not breed in Australia. Breeds in Japan.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Subspecies
May form superspecies with Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus).
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) which has black cap and long crest.
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9