Chinese Egret

Egretta eulophotes

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns · Pelecaniformes · Rare

The Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes) is a rare herons, egrets, and bittern found in 16 countries, weighing about 462 g. The Chinese egret or Swinhoe's egret is a threatened species of egret from east Asia, first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1860.

VulnerableRareEats invertebratescoastalplatform nest462 g

About the Chinese Egret

The Chinese egret or Swinhoe's egret is a threatened species of egret from east Asia, first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1860.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The Chinese egret averages 68 cm in height. The plumage is white throughout the bird's life and resembles the little egret (Egretta garzetta). Outside the breeding season the bill is dusky with the basal portion being tannish peach and the lores and legs yellow green, while the iris is yellow. All individuals are similar in this season. In the breeding season the adults develop a luxuriant crest which is sometimes over 11 cm long. It also develops long lanceolate plumes on its breast and dorsal plumes extending beyond the tail, called aigrettes and similar to those of little egret.

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Chinese Egret?
The Chinese egret averages 68 cm in height. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Chinese Egret?
The Chinese Egret is a large sized bird weighing about 462 g.
Where can you see a Chinese Egret?
The Chinese Egret occurs in 16 countries, including Taiwan, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and China.
What birds look similar to a Chinese Egret?
The Chinese Egret is most easily confused with the Pied Heron, the Black Heron and the Slaty Egret.
Is the Chinese Egret endangered?
The Chinese Egret is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Chinese Egret for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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