Pelecaniformes / Ardeidae / Ardea
Medium Egret
Ardea intermedia · 中白鹭
Introduction
A medium-sized heron, taxonomically placed in Ardea, Egretta, or Mesophoyx. It is a resident breeder in southern and eastern Asia. The species stalks prey methodically in shallow water and nests in colonies.
Description
Intermediate in size between the great egret and smaller white egrets, measuring 56–72 cm (22–28 in) long with a 105–115 cm (41–45 in) wingspan and weighing c. 400 g (14 oz). It has all-white plumage, generally dark legs, and a thickish yellow bill. Breeding birds may develop a reddish or black bill, greenish-yellow gape skin, loose filamentous plumes on the breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on the upper legs. Sexes are similar.
Identification
Smaller than the great egret with a neck length slightly less than body length, a slightly domed head, and a shorter, thicker bill. Unlike the great egret, it lacks a noticeable kink in the neck, and the gape line ends below the eye rather than extending behind it. It tends to stalk upright with the neck extended forward. Distinct from the little egret, which has yellow-soled feet and a black bill.
Distribution & Habitat
Resident breeder in southern and eastern Asia, ranging from the Russian Far East to Japan, India, and the Greater Sundas. Subspecies include A. i. brachyrhyncha in sub-Saharan Africa, A. i. intermedia in Asia, and A. i. plumifera in eastern Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia.
Behavior & Ecology
Stalks prey methodically in shallow coastal or fresh water, including flooded fields, feeding on fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects. Nests in colonies with other herons on stick platforms in trees or shrubs. Clutch size is typically 2–3 eggs, up to 6, which are pale green. Both parents incubate for 24–27 days and brood young for 12 days. Young fledge at around 40 days and leave the colony after 70 days. Breeding success is higher in wet years.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Genus
- Ardea
Taxonomy Changes
Egretta intermedia → Ardea intermedia
Genus transfer — GBIF Backbone Taxonomy uses the former name; AviList 2025 uses the current name.
Distribution
Japan to southern India and Greater Sundas
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
