The early bird catches the worm, they say, or in this case, fish.

A striated heron was spotted making its catch by freelance photographer Lee Lay Na at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve late last month.

Widespread and generally common, the striated heron is classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The birds can be identified by their mostly grey plumage, dark crown and distinct pale edges on wing feathers, among other features.

Usually solitary, they can be found standing quietly around wetland habitats such as marshes, mangroves, water bodies near parks or gardens and coastal areas.