Ardea intermedia intermedia

(Wagler, 1829)

Vernacular names
English : Intermediate egret
French : Héron intermédiaire

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ardeidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known. They are sometimes split.

Identification
The species grows to 72 cm in length for a weight of 500 g. Plumage entirely white with slight cream tinge. Breast and back plumes well developped when breeding. Yellow bill, black when breeding. Legs entirely black.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs from Pakistan to Korea and Japan, east and south to Philippines and Indonesia. Species found in Australia and Africa south of Sahara. Lives in inland freshwater swamps, rivers, with emergent vegetation, to 1450 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is relatively common but has declined in many parts of its range because of water pollution. It is very sensitive to human disturbances.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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