Medium Egret

The medium egret, also called the intermediate egret, is a medium-sized heron 56–72cm long with a 105–115cm wingspan, weighing about 400g, with all-white plumage, generally dark legs and a thickish yellow bill. As its name implies, it is intermediate in size between the great egret and smaller white egrets such as the little egret, though nearer the little egret. Little egrets have yellow-soled feet and black bills (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is a resident breeder in southern and eastern Asia. Breeding birds may have a reddish or black bill, greenish-yellow gape skin, loose filamentous plumes on the breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on the upper legs, varying regionally. Both parents incubate the eggs, which hatch after 24–27 days (Wikipedia, general species account).