Nests of nankeen night herons are loosely constructed with sticks. These are typically 20-30 cm in diameter and 3-4 cm in height, which is just large enough to hold the clutch. Nests that are constructed on the ground can be merely a ring of sticks that prevents the eggs from rolling away. The sticks are collected by the male birds, while the females arrange them in the nest. The building of nests may take place both during the daytime and at night.