ID Keys: White plumage, yellow bill with dark tip, black legs and
feet, long plumes on back when in breeding plumage
The
Intermediate Egret is an Old World species that is so named because it is
intermediate in size between the Great Egret
and the Little Egret. They are
normally found in Africa south of the Sahara, across southern Asia to Japan,
and southward into Australia. In North America, they are but extremely rare
vagrants, with a handful of sightings in the far outer Aleutian Islands.
Habitat
Found in both freshwater and saltwater
habitats, including estuaries, freshwater wetlands and marshes, shorelines
of rivers and lakes, and flooded rice fields. Usually found in areas with
thick wetland vegetation.
Diet
Feeds on fish, amphibians, crustaceans,
mollusks, large insects, and other aquatic creatures.
Behavior
Often forages by standing motionless in
the water, quickly thrusting its neck and bill out to capture prey when prey
approaches. They may also stalk prey by moving slowly through the shallows.
Nesting
Colonial nester, sometimes nesting in
large colonies with other wading bird species. The nest is a loos
platform built of sticks and wetland vegetation, placed in trees, shrubs, or
reedy areas near water. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs, and both parents
help to incubate them. After hatching, both parents help feed and tend
to the young. The young leave the nest after about 5 weeks.
Song
Usually silent, but they do have a guttural
croaking sound sometimes given while taking flight. They also can make
some buzzy chatters during courtship displays.
Migration
Some populations that breed at the
northern end of their range are migratory, such as those birds nesting in
Japan. However, the majority of Intermediate Egrets are non-migratory.
