Plumed Egret Ardea plumifera
(aka Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia plumifera, Egretta intermedia plumifera)
Plumed Egret, Kakadu, Northern Territory, Australia, October 2013 - click for larger image Northern Territory, Australia
October 2013

The Plumed Egret is distributed in the north and east of Australia and nearby New Guinea. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

It is traditionally treated as a sub-species of Intermediate Egret but the HBW and Birdlife International checklist has split it partly on the basis of its breeding plumage. In breeding plumage, Intermediate Egret has a black bill and legs whereas Plumed Egret has a reddish bill and reddish upper legs. Although not in full breeding plumage photo 3 shows the reddish tinge on the legs.

Plumed Egret, Kakadu, Northern Territory, Australia, October 2013 - click for larger image It is distinguished from Great White Egret Ardea alba by its smaller size and daintier look, the rounder head, the shorter and deeper bill and the gape line ending under the eye not beyond it.
Plumed Egret, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, October 2013 - click for larger image
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