Chestnut Bittern or Chinese Pond Heron?

 

Chestnut Bitter

Chinese Pond Heron

These are not my photos but from google images, cause we weren’t quick enough to get a pic of a sighting in our patio and lawn just now.

The Chestnut Bittern (栗苇鳽, Li Wei Yan) top, is a summer visitor to Hong Kong, arriving in April. 

The Chinese Pond Heron （中国池鹭 Zhongguo Chilu), bottom, is a winter visitor, leaving in April.

So the one I saw this morning in our backyard could be either. Or even something else. I’m plumping for the Heron. If we don’t spot again after May, then more likely the Heron. Other household members believe it’s the Bittern, top.