| Gorsachius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Malayan night heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Subfamily: | Ardeinae |
| Genus: | Gorsachius Bonaparte, 1855 |
| Type species | |
| Nycticorax goisagi [1] Temminck, 1836 | |
| Species | |
2, see text | |
Gorsachius is a genus of Old World night herons typically found near water in forested regions. These are medium-sized herons which are migratory in the colder parts of their ranges, but otherwise resident. They are the least known, most strictly nocturnal, smallest and overall rarest night herons.
They are found in East, South and South-east Asia. Both species resemble each other, being relatively short-billed and overall brown with a dark line from the throat to the upper belly.
Their behavior is relatively poorly known compared to that of other night herons, but they nest alone or in small groups, and a clutch of two to five eggs has been recorded. While generally nocturnal and crepuscular, they have been recorded feeding during the day in clouded weather. They are skulking, and known to feed on crabs, crustacean, fish, insects, frogs and other small animals.
