The Chinese Egret is a large egret species of southeast Asia, primarily found in Korea, China, and Russia. In North America, at the time of this writing they are known from only a single sighting, a bird that was identified on Attu Island at the end of the Aleutian Island chain. Given the general lack of long-distance movements of the species, coupled with the fact that they are in severe decline in their native range due to habitat loss, the Attu sighting may prove to be a one-time event. Global populations of the species may only number from 4,000 to 15,000 (BirdLife International estimate).
Habitat
The Chinese Egret inhabits coastal wetlands, tidal mudflats, estuaries, salt marshes, mangrove margins, sandy beaches, and shallow coastal lagoons of eastern Asia. During the breeding season it nests on offshore islands, often in mixed colonies with other herons, egrets, and seabirds, while migration and wintering birds depend heavily on productive intertidal habitats where they forage for fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic prey.
Diet
The Chinese Egret feeds primarily on small fish, shrimp, crabs, and other aquatic invertebrates captured in shallow coastal waters. It forages by walking slowly through tidal flats, estuaries, marshes, and lagoons, using its bill to seize prey spotted in the water or on exposed mud.
Behavior
Foraging of the Chinese Egret often consists of walking rapidly along a mudflat or in the shallows, using a thrust of their neck and bill to snap up prey when spotted. Therapid walking and movement may also flush fish and other creatures, allowing the Chinese Egret to spot them easier.
Nesting
The nest is a platform of sticks and branches built in a tree. The female lays between 3 and 5 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them. When the eggs hatch, both parents help to feed them. The young typically stay in the nest for about one month.
Song
The Chinese Egret is generally a quiet bird, much like many other egrets. Around breeding colonies it gives harsh croaks, raspy raak calls, and guttural squawks used during territorial disputes, courtship, and interactions with neighboring birds. Away from nesting sites it is usually silent.
Migration
The Chinese Egret breeds on small offshore islands along the coasts of eastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of eastern Russia. After breeding, it migrates south along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway to wintering areas in southern China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and neighboring regions of Southeast Asia. During migration it relies heavily on coastal wetlands, tidal mudflats, estuaries, and other intertidal habitats for feeding and resting.
Similar Species
Similar in general appearance to the North American white egrets ( Great Egret , Snowy Egret , Cattle Egret ).
Conservation Status
The Chinese Egret is considered globally threatened and is classified as Vulnerable. Its population is relatively small, and the species faces significant threats from the loss and degradation of coastal wetlands, tidal mudflats, estuaries, and other intertidal habitats along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Reclamation of coastal areas, pollution, human disturbance, and declines in the quality of migration stopover sites are among the primary conservation concerns. Because it depends heavily on a limited network of coastal habitats during migration and winter, protecting these areas is critical to the species' long-term survival. The IUCN lists the Chinese Egret as a "Vulnerable" species.
Photo Information
Photo taken by K.C. Hung - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
Interactive eBird Map
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