Plumed Egret

Ardea plumifera

A stocky egret that is larger than Eastern Cattle and Little Egrets, but smaller than the Great Egret. Often confusing and difficult to identify, this bird is truly intermediate between potential confusion species. Things to look for include a yellow bill (red-orange during courtship) that is shorter than Great Egret but longer than Eastern Cattle Egret, a relatively rounded head, and shorter legs than Great Egret, approaching Eastern Cattle Egret. Like most egret species, associates with all types of water bodies including wet fields and usually flocks with other egrets.

识别特征

The plumed egret is a medium-sized heron, 56 to 70 cm (22 to 28 in) in length with an all white plumage. In breeding plumage it develops long white frilly plumes from its breast and shoulders. In addition, the bill changes colour to red or orange with green lores and the tibia is red and the tarsus is black. Outside the breeding season the bill is yellow-orange with yellow lores and the legs are black.

分类信息

The plumed egret was first formally described as Herodias plumiferus by the English ornithologist John Gould with its type locality given as New South Wales. This taxon has been regarded as a subspecies of the intermediate egret (Ardea intermedia) but on 26 September 2023 the International Ornithological Congress recognised the three subspecies of A. intermedia as valid species.

学名
Ardea plumifera
命名信息
(Gould, 1848)
Pelecaniformes
Ardeidae
Ardea

分布与栖息地

The plumed egret is found in Australasia and breeds in eastern Indonesia, Timor-Leste, New Guinea and Australia, with vagrants occurring in New Zealand and the Solomon Islands. This species is found in the shallow water at the edges of freshwater wetlands and the intertidal zone.

迁徙
Resident species

保护状况

种群趋势
declining

照片

分布

其他鸟类

Berthelot's Pipit

Berthelot's Pipit

Anthus berthelotii

Restricted to the Canary Islands and Madeira. An oddly-proportioned pipit with a short tail making it look front heavy. Pale overall with a streaky breast, white belly, and a conspicuous white eyebrow. The wings coverts have prominent dark centers. Generally found foraging on the ground, in open dry areas with low vegetation. The call is a short series of “tchri” notes.

Luzon Rail

Luzon Rail

Lewinia mirifica

A mysterious medium-sized rail, possibly of foothill or montane grassy areas and forests. Dark brown above with a pale gray chest, a whitish throat, a barred belly, blackish legs, and a fairly long, curved reddish bill. Little known in life and mainly seen at a banding station, suggesting local migration. Similar to Slaty-breasted and Buff-banded Rails, but Luzon has a fairly unpatterned back, a longer, thinner bill, and no rufous on the head. Voice little known, although when distressed, gives a sharp “kwik!” and various squeals.

Javan White-eye

Javan White-eye

Zosterops flavus

Little bright yellow bird found in southern Borneo and northern Java. Entirely yellow coloration (no dark lores or gray belly) distinguishes this species from other white-eyes within its range. A coastal forest specialist, found in coastal scrub forest, mangroves, and forest edge, as well as adjacent gardens and plantations, where it often visits planted langsat (or duku) trees. Often found on small offshore islands. Forages actively in the canopy, giving quiet tweeting and cheeping calls; unlike other white-eyes, not a strong songster. Declining across much of range due to habitat destruction and fragmentation.

开始您的观鸟之旅

在户外识别鸟类,并在下一次观察时随手查阅鸟类图鉴。