Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Ardea coromanda
Family: Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns · Status: Common migrant · Size: 48–53 cm · Conservation: Not Evaluated
Occurs from Pakistan and the Indian subcontinent through southern China, Korea and Japan to Southeast Asia, east Australia and New Zealand; northern populations winter to Southeast Asia.
Non-breeding adult has a stocky appearance with a short, thick neck, short yellowish bill and blackish legs and feet. Breeding adult has extensive deep rufous-buff on head, neck, breast and back, a red bill with yellow tip, purple lores and red legs. Juvenile resembles non-breeding adult. Separated from other white egret species by smaller size and short and thick neck.
Grasslands, open fields, marshes and various wetlands; sometimes mudflats.
Gregarious; often feeds near cattle, catching prey flushed by their movement.