Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Ardea intermedia
Family: Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns · Status: Common migrant · Size: 65–72 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Occurs from sub-Saharan Africa and India through southern China, Korea and Japan to Indonesia and Australia; northern populations winter to Southeast Asia.
Non-breeding adult shows all-white plumage, black legs and feet and a yellow bill. Separated from Great Egret by smaller size, slimmer bill, less kinked neck and gape line does not extend beyond the eye. Separated from Eastern Cattle Egret by larger size, longer and thinner neck and longer legs. Breeding adult has plumes, yellowish bill with black on the tip and ridge of upper mandible. Juvenile resembles non-breeding adult.
Various inland freshwater habitats and marshy grasslands; occasionally mangroves and mudflats.
Often hunts and roosts with other egrets and herons. Forages by standing and walking slowly, then lunging at prey; diet includes fish, frogs, insects and crustaceans.