Chinese Egret

Scientific Name: Egretta eulophotes
Malay Name: Bangau Cina
Chinese Name: 黄嘴白鹭

Range:
Found from southeast China to Korea, wintering in Southeast Asia

Taxonomy:
Monotypic

Size: 68 cm

Identification: Non-breeding adult resembles other egret species but can be distinguished by greenish legs and yellowish-orange lower mandible. Breeding adult has all yellowish-orange bill, shaggy nuchal crest, blue facial skin, blackish legs with yellowish-orange feet.

Similar looking species: Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Pacific Reef Heron

Habitat: Mudflats and other coastal habitats

Ecology/Behaviour: Feeds actively. Often runs, flies and darts across mudflats in search of food

Local Status: Rare migrant

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1). Originally Endangered but downgraded to Vulnerable in the 2000 revision.

Location: Sungei Buloh, Pulau Ubin (Chek Jawa) and Pulau Tekong

Photos:

Chinese Egret in non-breeding plumage at Pulau Ubin. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Chinese Egret in non-breeding plumage at Pulau Ubin. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Chinese Egret in non-breeding plumage at Pulau Ubin. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Chinese Egret in non-breeding pluamge at SBWR. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Chinese Egret in breeding plumage at Thailand. Photo credit: Wong Lee Hong

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

Reference:
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia
Allen Jeyarajasingam & Alan Pearson (2012) A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore