This large species is found in more open habitats than other Tigrisoma herons, such as river and lake banks.

It waits often motionless for suitable prey such as fish, frogs or crabs to come within reach of its long bill.

The nest is a small flattish stick platform in a tree into which 2–3 green-tinged white eggs are laid.

The median stripe down the fore-neck is white-bordered with black; the remaining underparts are dull cinnamon brown.

The juvenile is buff coarsely barred with black, more mottled and vermiculated on wings; the throat, median underparts, and belly are whitish.