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{{Short description|Species of bird}} {{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox {{Speciesbox
| image = Egretta intermedia00.jpg | image =Intermediate Egret (23385032726).jpg
| image_caption = Yellow-billed egret (''A. i. brachyrhyncha'') in South Africa | image_caption =In Thrissur, India
| status = LC | status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2020 |title=''Ardea intermedia'' |page=e.T22727668A181757896 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22727668A181757896.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2020 |title=''Ardea intermedia'' |page=e.T22727668A181757896 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22727668A181757896.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| taxon = Ardea intermedia | taxon = Ardea intermedia
| authority = ], 1827 | authority = ], 1829
| range_map = Ardea intermedia map.svg | range_map = Ardea intermedia map.svg
| range_map_caption = {{leftlegend|#F7F700|Breeding range|outline=yellow}}{{leftlegend|#00BE03|Year-round range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#0C00E3|Wintering range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#FFCE00|Present during migration|outline=gray}} | range_map_caption = {{leftlegend|#F7F700|Breeding range|outline=yellow}}{{leftlegend|#00BE03|Year-round range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#0C00E3|Wintering range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#FFCE00|Present during migration|outline=gray}}
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}} }}


The '''intermediate egret''', '''median egret''', '''smaller egret''', or '''yellow-billed egret''' (''Ardea intermedia'') is a medium-sized ]. Some taxonomists put the species in the genus '']'' or ''Mesophoyx''. It is a resident breeder from east ] across the ] to ] and ]. The '''medium egret''' ('''''Ardea intermedia'''''), '''median egret''', '''smaller egret''' or '''intermediate egret''', is a medium-sized ]. Some taxonomists put the species in the genus '']'' or ''Mesophoyx''. It is a resident breeder in southern and eastern Asia.


==Taxonomy== ==Taxonomy==
Some authorities classify the intermediate egret in its own ] genus, ''Mesophoyx'', while others place it with the smaller egrets in '']''.<ref name = IOC>{{cite web | url = https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/storks/ | title = Storks, ibis, herons | work = IOC World Bird List version 8.2 | access-date = 25 December 2018 | publisher = International Ornithological Congress}}</ref> Some authorities classify the intermediate egret ] in its own ] genus, ''Mesophoyx'', while others place it with the smaller egrets in '']''.<ref name = IOC>{{cite web | url = https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/storks/ | title = Storks, ibis, herons | work = IOC World Bird List version 8.2 | access-date = 25 December 2018 | publisher = International Ornithological Congress}}</ref>


There are three recognised subspecies,<ref name = IOC/><ref name=iucn /> and these are sometimes raised in to species:<ref name = HBW>{{cite web | author1 = Martínez-Vilalta, A. | author2 = Motis, A. | author3 = Kirwan, G.M. | year = 2018 | title = Intermediate Egret (''Ardea intermedia'') |editor1= del Hoyo, J. |editor2=Elliott, A. |editor3=Sargatal, J. |editor4=Christie, D.A. |editor5=de Juana, E. | work = Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive | publisher = Lynx Edicions, Barcelona | url = https://www.hbw.com/node/52690 | access-date = 25 December 2018}}</ref> There were three recognised subspecies,<ref name = IOC/><ref name=iucn /> and these are sometimes raised in to species:<ref name = HBW>{{cite journal | author1 = Martínez-Vilalta, A. | author2 = Motis, A. | author3 = Kirwan, G.M. | year = 2018 | title = Intermediate Egret (''Ardea intermedia'') |editor1= del Hoyo, J. |editor2=Elliott, A. |editor3=Sargatal, J. |editor4=Christie, D.A. |editor5=de Juana, E. | journal = Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive | publisher = Lynx Edicions, Barcelona | doi = 10.2173/bow.integr.01 | s2cid = 240970149 | url = https://www.hbw.com/node/52690 | access-date = 25 December 2018}}</ref>


* ''A. i. brachyrhyncha'' <small>], 1854</small> "yellow-billed egret" - sub-Saharan Africa * '']'' <small>], 1854</small> "yellow-billed egret" - sub-Saharan Africa
* ''A.i. intermedia'' <small>Wagler, 1827</small> "intermediate egret" - Asia from the Russian Far East to Japan to India and the ] * ''A.i. intermedia'' <small>Wagler, 1827</small> "intermediate egret" - Asia from the Russian Far East to Japan to India and the ]
* ''A. i. plumifera'' <small>], 1848</small> "plumed egret" - eastern Indonesia, ] and Australia. * '']'' <small>], 1848</small> "plumed egret" - eastern Indonesia, ] and Australia.


''A.i. intermedia'' differs from ''A.i. brachyrhyncha'' and ''A. i. plumifera'' by having a black bill when in breeding plumage, while ''A.i. plumata'' has a yellow-and-pink bill and ''A. i. brachyrhyncha'' has much yellower ] and face. A further difference between the nominate subspecies and the "yellow-billed" subspecies are that the "intermediate" subspecies has black at the top of the legs compared to reddish in the yellow-billed egret.<ref name = HBW/> ''A.(i.) intermedia'' differs from ''A.(i.) brachyrhyncha'' and ''A. (i.) plumifera'' by having a black bill when in breeding plumage, while ''A.(i.) plumifera'' has a yellow-and-pink bill and ''A. (i.) brachyrhyncha'' has much yellower ] and face. A further difference between this species and the "yellow-billed" species is that the intermediate egret has black at the top of the legs compared to reddish in the yellow-billed egret.<ref name = HBW/>


The split of intermediate egret into 3 species was accepted by the IOC on 26 September 2023, this form was given the common name medium egret by the IOC.<ref name = ioc23>{{cite web |url= https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/updates/proposed-splits/ |title= IOC World Bird List v13.2 Proposed Splits/Lumps |date=26 September 2023 |access-date=27 September 2023 |publisher=IOC}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:Intermediate Egret DSCN1932.jpg|Intermediate Egret (''A.i. intermedia''), ], India
File:Intermediate Egret in breeding plumage.1 - Fogg Dam - Middle Point - Northern Territory - Australia.jpg|Plumed Egret (''A.i. plumata'') in breeding plumage, ], ], Australia
Ardea intermedia brachyrhyncha MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.52.9.jpg|''Ardea intermedia brachyrhyncha'' - ]
</gallery>


==Description== ==Description==
This species, as its scientific name implies, is intermediate in size between the ] and smaller white egrets like the ] and ], though nearer to little than great. It is about {{convert|56|–|72|cm|abbr=on}} long with a {{convert|105|–|115|cm|abbr=on}} wingspan and weighs c. {{convert|400|g|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite book |year=1992 |title=] |editor1=del Hoyo, J. |editor2=Elliott, A. |editor3=Sargatal, J. |publisher=Lynx Edicions |location=Barcelona |isbn= |volume=((Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks)) |chapter= |pages= |chapter-url=}}</ref> with all-white plumage, generally dark legs and a thickish yellow bill. Breeding birds may have a reddish or black bill, greenish yellow ] skin, loose filamentous plumes on their breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on their upper legs (regional variations). The sexes are similar.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ali, S.|year=1993|title=The Book of Indian Birds|publisher=Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press|location=Bombay|isbn=978-0195621679|edition=Eleventh revised}}</ref> The medium egret, as its scientific name implies, is intermediate in size between the ] and smaller white egrets like the ] and ], though nearer to little than great. It is about {{convert|56|–|72|cm|abbr=on}} long with a {{convert|105|–|115|cm|abbr=on}} wingspan and weighs c. {{convert|400|g|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite book |year=1992 |title=] |editor1=del Hoyo, J. |editor2=Elliott, A. |editor3=Sargatal, J. |publisher=Lynx Edicions |location=Barcelona |isbn= |volume=((Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks)) |chapter= |pages= |chapter-url=}}</ref> with all-white plumage, generally dark legs and a thickish yellow bill. Breeding birds may have a reddish or black bill, greenish yellow ] skin, loose filamentous plumes on their breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on their upper legs (regional variations). The sexes are similar.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ali, S.|year=1993|title=The Book of Indian Birds|publisher=Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press|location=Bombay|isbn=978-0195621679|edition=Eleventh revised}}</ref>


===Differences from other egrets=== ===Differences from other egrets===
] ]
The non-breeding colours are similar, but the intermediate is smaller, with neck length a little less than body length, a slightly domed head, and a shorter, thicker bill. The ] has a noticeable kink near the middle of its neck, and the top of its longer bill nearly aligns with the flat top of its head. Close up, great egret's gape line extends behind the eye, while the intermediate's is less pointed and ends below the eye. The intermediate tends to stalk upright with neck extended forward. The great is more patient, often adopting a sideways-leaning "one-eyed" stance. The medium egret has non-breeding colours which are similar to other white egrets, but the intermediate is smaller, with neck length a little less than body length, a slightly domed head, and a shorter, thicker bill. The ] has a noticeable kink near the middle of its neck, and the top of its longer bill nearly aligns with the flat top of its head. Close up, great egret's gape line extends behind the eye, while the intermediate's is less pointed and ends below the eye. The intermediate tends to stalk upright with neck extended forward. The great is more patient, often adopting a sideways-leaning "one-eyed" stance.
]s have yellow-soled feet and black bills. They often run after fish in shallow water. Breeding birds have long nuptial plumes on the back of their heads.{{cn|date=December 2021}} ]s have yellow-soled feet and black bills. They often run after fish in shallow water. Breeding birds have long nuptial plumes on the back of their heads.<ref name = HC/>


==Behaviour== ==Behaviour==
The medium egret stalks its prey methodically in shallow coastal or fresh water, including flooded fields. It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. It often nests in ] with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The typical clutch size is 2 or 3 eggs but there can be as many as 6 eggs in a clutch, the colour of the eggs is pale green, with a smooth, slightly pitted shell. Both parents incubate the eggs and they hatch after between 24 and 27 days. The eggs hatch asynchronously, after hatching the adults brood the semialtricial young for 12 days, defending the nests from aerial predators during both incubation and brooding, they crouch over the nest and raise their plumes and point their bill towards the threat. The parents regurgitate the food to feed the young, initially onto the floor of the nest but later the chick takes the food from the parent's mouth. There may be competition for food within the brood. Pinfeathers may appear on the chicks as early as 4 days old and the young are able to leave the nest at 24 days old, although they return to be fed. Fledging occurs at around 40 days old and they leave the colony after 70 days. In Africa and Australia they are reported to be quite successful breeders with 96% and 88% of nests fledging at least a single chick. Intermediate egret populations are more successful in wet years than in dry years.<ref name = HC>{{cite web | url = https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/intermediate-egret/ | title = Intermediate Egret ''Ardea intermedia'' (Wagler) | access-date = 11 May 2022 | publisher = Heron Conservation The IUCN-SCC Heron Specialist Group}}</ref>
The intermediate egret stalks its prey methodically in shallow coastal or fresh water, including flooded fields. It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. It often nests in ] with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. Two to five eggs are laid, the clutch size varying with region.{{cn|date=December 2021}}


==Gallery== ==Gallery==
<gallery> <gallery>
File:Inter Egret Descending Tree Kabini Apr22 D72 23600.jpg|Descending to perch, ], ]
File:Intermediate Egret day95.ogg|Feeding on mice, SE Queensland, Australia
⚫ File:Photo showing the size difference in Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets - Taken From Dhikala, Jim Corbett TR.jpg|Photo showing the size difference in great, medium and little egrets, India
File:Egret's tongue.JPG|Egret showing its tongue
⚫ File:Photo showing the size difference in Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets - Taken From Dhikala, Jim Corbett TR.jpg|Photo showing the size difference in great, intermediate and little egrets, India
File:Intermediate Egret Feeding.2.jpg|In ], Australia
</gallery> </gallery>


==References== ==References==
<!-- Micronesica37:69,39:11. -->
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

* ''Birds of The Gambia'' by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, {{ISBN|1-873403-32-1}} * ''Birds of The Gambia'' by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, {{ISBN|1-873403-32-1}}
* ''Birds of India'' by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, {{ISBN|0-691-04910-6}} * ''Birds of India'' by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, {{ISBN|0-691-04910-6}}
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==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Ardea intermedia}} {{Commons category|Ardea intermedia}}
{{Wikispecies|Mesophoyx intermedia}} {{Wikispecies|Ardea intermedia}}
* *


{{Taxonbar|from=Q27074615|from2=Q218821}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q27074615|from2=Q218821}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:egret, intermediate}}
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Latest revision as of 10:54, 2 December 2024

Species of bird

Medium egret
In Thrissur, India
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Ardea
Species: A. intermedia
Binomial name
Ardea intermedia
Wagler, 1829
  Breeding range  Year-round range  Wintering range  Present during migration
Synonyms
  • Mesophoyx intermedia (Wagler, 1827)
  • Egretta intermedia (Wagler, 1827)

The medium egret (Ardea intermedia), median egret, smaller egret or intermediate egret, is a medium-sized heron. Some taxonomists put the species in the genus Egretta or Mesophoyx. It is a resident breeder in southern and eastern Asia.

Taxonomy

Some authorities classify the intermediate egret species complex in its own monotypic genus, Mesophoyx, while others place it with the smaller egrets in Egretta.

There were three recognised subspecies, and these are sometimes raised in to species:

A.(i.) intermedia differs from A.(i.) brachyrhyncha and A. (i.) plumifera by having a black bill when in breeding plumage, while A.(i.) plumifera has a yellow-and-pink bill and A. (i.) brachyrhyncha has much yellower lores and face. A further difference between this species and the "yellow-billed" species is that the intermediate egret has black at the top of the legs compared to reddish in the yellow-billed egret.

The split of intermediate egret into 3 species was accepted by the IOC on 26 September 2023, this form was given the common name medium egret by the IOC.

Description

The medium egret, as its scientific name implies, is intermediate in size between the great egret and smaller white egrets like the little egret and cattle egret, though nearer to little than great. It is about 56–72 cm (22–28 in) long with a 105–115 cm (41–45 in) wingspan and weighs c. 400 g (14 oz), with all-white plumage, generally dark legs and a thickish yellow bill. Breeding birds may have a reddish or black bill, greenish yellow gape skin, loose filamentous plumes on their breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on their upper legs (regional variations). The sexes are similar.

Differences from other egrets

Sketch comparing gapes of intermediate and great egrets

The medium egret has non-breeding colours which are similar to other white egrets, but the intermediate is smaller, with neck length a little less than body length, a slightly domed head, and a shorter, thicker bill. The great egret has a noticeable kink near the middle of its neck, and the top of its longer bill nearly aligns with the flat top of its head. Close up, great egret's gape line extends behind the eye, while the intermediate's is less pointed and ends below the eye. The intermediate tends to stalk upright with neck extended forward. The great is more patient, often adopting a sideways-leaning "one-eyed" stance. Little egrets have yellow-soled feet and black bills. They often run after fish in shallow water. Breeding birds have long nuptial plumes on the back of their heads.

Behaviour

The medium egret stalks its prey methodically in shallow coastal or fresh water, including flooded fields. It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. It often nests in colonies with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The typical clutch size is 2 or 3 eggs but there can be as many as 6 eggs in a clutch, the colour of the eggs is pale green, with a smooth, slightly pitted shell. Both parents incubate the eggs and they hatch after between 24 and 27 days. The eggs hatch asynchronously, after hatching the adults brood the semialtricial young for 12 days, defending the nests from aerial predators during both incubation and brooding, they crouch over the nest and raise their plumes and point their bill towards the threat. The parents regurgitate the food to feed the young, initially onto the floor of the nest but later the chick takes the food from the parent's mouth. There may be competition for food within the brood. Pinfeathers may appear on the chicks as early as 4 days old and the young are able to leave the nest at 24 days old, although they return to be fed. Fledging occurs at around 40 days old and they leave the colony after 70 days. In Africa and Australia they are reported to be quite successful breeders with 96% and 88% of nests fledging at least a single chick. Intermediate egret populations are more successful in wet years than in dry years.

Gallery

  • Descending to perch, Kabini River, India Descending to perch, Kabini River, India
  • Photo showing the size difference in great, medium and little egrets, India Photo showing the size difference in great, medium and little egrets, India

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Ardea intermedia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22727668A181757896. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22727668A181757896.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Storks, ibis, herons". IOC World Bird List version 8.2. International Ornithological Congress. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  3. ^ Martínez-Vilalta, A.; Motis, A.; Kirwan, G.M. (2018). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). "Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. doi:10.2173/bow.integr.01. S2CID 240970149. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  4. "IOC World Bird List v13.2 Proposed Splits/Lumps". IOC. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  5. del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J., eds. (1992). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.
  6. Ali, S. (1993). The Book of Indian Birds (Eleventh revised ed.). Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195621679.
  7. ^ "Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia (Wagler)". Heron Conservation The IUCN-SCC Heron Specialist Group. Retrieved 11 May 2022.

External links

Taxon identifiers
Ardea intermedia
Egretta intermedia
Categories:
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