Egretta eulophotes (Swinhoe, 1860)

Average Height

The Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes) has an average height of 68 cm.

Plumage

Its plumage is entirely white throughout its life, and it resembles the little egret (Egretta garzetta).

Non-breeding Appearance

Outside of the breeding season, the bill is dusky with a tannish peach basal portion, the lores and legs are yellow-green, the iris is yellow, and all individuals look the same during this season.

Breeding Crest

In the breeding season, adult Chinese egrets grow a full, lush crest that can sometimes reach over 11 cm in length.

Breeding Plumes

They also develop long lanceolate plumes on the breast, and dorsal plumes that extend past the tail; these plumes are called aigrettes and are similar to those found on little egrets.

Breeding Bare Part Coloration

Their bare body parts also change color: the bill becomes bright, almost orange-yellow, the lores turn bright blue, and the legs become black with yellow feet.

Breeding Range

Chinese egrets breed on small islands off the coasts of far eastern Russia, North Korea, South Korea, and mainland China.

Historical Breeding Range

They used to breed in Taiwan and the New Territories of Hong Kong, but are now only non-breeding visitors or passage migrants to these areas.

Non-breeding Range

They are also non-breeding passage migrants or wintering birds in Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Key Wintering Habitats

The most important wintering habitats are the Eastern Visayas (the islands of Leyte, Bohol, and Cebu in the Philippines), and the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Selangor.

Wintering Population Proportion

Based on a winter census conducted in 2004/05, between one third and one half of the global Chinese egret population is believed to winter in these areas.

Global Population Estimate

The total global population is estimated at 2,600 to 3,400 individuals.

Population Trend 2002–2012

Between 2002 and 2012, there was no significant population decline for this species.

New Breeding Colonies

New breeding colonies have recently been discovered off the coast of southern China; this may be due to increased survey effort, but could also signal a real increase in population.

Conservation Status and Threats

The Chinese egret is classified as a vulnerable species, and its main threat is habitat loss.

Non-breeding Habitat

Outside of the breeding season, Chinese egrets live in shallow tidal estuaries, mudflats, and bays, and will occasionally visit rice fields and fish ponds.

Breeding Habitat

All recent breeding records of this species have been from offshore islands.