The medium egret (Ardea intermedia), median egret, smaller egret or intermediate egret, is a medium-sized heron. Some taxonomists put the species in the genus Egretta or Mesophoyx. It is a resident breeder in southern and eastern Asia.

Taxonomy

Some authorities classify the intermediate egret species complex in its own monotypic genus, Mesophoyx, while others place it with the smaller egrets in Egretta.

There were three recognised subspecies,

  • A. i. brachyrhyncha <small>Brehm, 1854</small> "yellow-billed egret" - sub-Saharan Africa
  • A.i. intermedia <small>Wagler, 1827</small> "intermediate egret" - Asia from the Russian Far East to Japan to India and the Greater Sundas
  • A. i. plumifera <small>Gould, 1848</small> "plumed egret" - eastern Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia.

A.(i.) intermedia differs from A.(i.) brachyrhyncha and A. (i.) plumifera by having a black bill when in breeding plumage, while A.(i.) plumifera has a yellow-and-pink bill and A. (i.) brachyrhyncha has much yellower lores and face. A further difference between this species and the "yellow-billed" species is that the intermediate egret has black at the top of the legs compared to reddish in the yellow-billed egret.

Description

The medium egret, as its scientific name implies, is intermediate in size between the great egret and smaller white egrets like the little egret and cattle egret, though nearer to little than great. It is about long with a wingspan and weighs c. , with all-white plumage, generally dark legs and a thickish yellow bill. Breeding birds may have a reddish or black bill, greenish yellow gape skin, loose filamentous plumes on their breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on their upper legs (regional variations). The sexes are similar.

Differences from other egrets

thumb|Sketch comparing gapes of intermediate and great egrets

The medium egret has non-breeding colours which are similar to other white egrets, but the intermediate is smaller, with neck length a little less than body length, a slightly domed head, and a shorter, thicker bill. The great egret has a noticeable kink near the middle of its neck, and the top of its longer bill nearly aligns with the flat top of its head. Close up, great egret's gape line extends behind the eye, while the intermediate's is less pointed and ends below the eye. The intermediate tends to stalk upright with neck extended forward. The great is more patient, often adopting a sideways-leaning "one-eyed" stance.

Little egrets have yellow-soled feet and black bills. They often run after fish in shallow water. Breeding birds have long nuptial plumes on the back of their heads.

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File:Inter Egret Descending Tree Kabini Apr22 D72 23600.jpg|Descending to perch, Kabini River, India

File:Photo showing the size difference in Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets - Taken From Dhikala, Jim Corbett TR.jpg|Photo showing the size difference in great, medium and little egrets, India

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References

  • Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley,
  • Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp,
  • Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds