A Javan Pond Heron in non-breeding plumage has a greyish-yellow bill with a black tip, and a brown mantle and scapulars, whilst the head, neck and breast are also brown, streaked with white.

In its non-breeding plumage it is very similar to the Chinese Pond Heron (fig.) and is virtually indistinguishable in the field, apart from the fact that in flight its wings are almost completely white, whereas that of the Chinese Pond Heron has more obvious dusky tips (fig.).