The male Little Bittern is brighter in colour than the female, with a glossy black crown and back, and a striking cream wing patch, while the female is browner and streaked.
Young birds resemble the female, but their plumage is more mottled and streaked.

I was walking along the northwestern shores of Lake Ohrid, near Struga, when suddenly this Little Bittern flew up from the reeds.

A male. Struga, Lake Ohrid, Macedonia, 1 May 2023