Size & diagnostic markings:- 70 Cm. This Egret has long neck as the Great Egret. Comparatively the bills is shorter and more important much rounded head. The bird gives a hunch appearance. Minor point but important - facial skin do not extend beyond eyes.

Distribution :-  This bird is native to Africa, the Indian Sub-continent [not into China]. Then southwards to Sumatra, Java, Bali and into Australia

Habitats & preferences:- This Intermediate more often found at Estuary are sharing the same feeding ground with a few species of Egrets. Their population in a single location much less than other Egrets

The Intermediate Egret is again larger at 70 cm. The rang of this bird is limited to the sub-Sahara, Indian Sub-continent, then south through Sumatra, Java and Australia. This is a winter visitor to Malaysia as well as breeding in Malaysia.

Both the Intermediate & the Great Egret look identical and cause some confusion in ID. When both birds are together at the same place, there is instant recognition as the Great Egret is a far larger bird.  Apart from physical size, the difference which tell the Intermediate from the Great is the more rounded head and the shorter bill. Then comes the minor or subtle differences - the facial skin on the Intermediate seldom goes beyond the edge of the eyes. In some bird the tip of the beak is darker in shade.

The bird prefers freshwater wetlands like swampy lands and padi fields but can also be seen in estuary together with the Great Egrets.

Even armed with many pictures in my personal collection which again unfortunately lacking in definition, I have a hard time picking up enough to fill my quota of pictures. That's how close the features of the Intermediate and that of the Great Egrets are alike.

Intermediate Egret 1

Intermediate Egret always has pale yellow beak and blackish legs

Intermediate Egret'. 2

In breeding plumage, legs remain dark and beak remain yellowish with the exception, the tip of beak turns black

Intermediate Egret. 3

Intermediate Egret. 4

Intermediate Egret. 5

Intermediate Egret. 6

Intermediate Egret'. 9

Intermediate Egret'. 10

Intermediate Egret. 11

Intermediate Egret'. 12

Intermediate Egret'. 13

In Malaysia, where can the bird be found:- So difficult to differentiate this Intermediate from the Great Egret. Only through time consuming method and having 2 species to compare, would make the task less tedious. I had seen the birds in most unexpected inland waterways but also isolated ponds. Most of them again were spotted in Bagan Sungei Buloh, an area of estuary.

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With Will would Wander