Coorg’s plantations are graced by a beautiful creature referred to as the Intermediate Egret, an important species considering the fact that it feeds on the insects that damage the crops here.

This Egret is a medium-sized heron, striking in appearance with brilliantly white plumage. This bird often nests in colonies along with other herons, typically on stick platforms in trees or shrubs. Interestingly, the clutch size of this bird varies with region. The species derives its name from the fact that it is intermediate in size, considering other egrets; it’s smaller than the Great Egret and larger than white egrets like the Little Egret and Cattle Egret.

Up Close with the Intermediate Egret

The Intermediate Egret has a diet that comprises fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects.

This bird stands 90 cm tall, possessing a thick yellow bill. Breeding birds are interestingly coloured, and may possess a reddish or black bill, loose filamentous plumes on their breast and back, and dull yellow or pink on their upper legs. Fascinatingly, regional variations exist as regards the appearance of this bird.

Indispensable on a Plantation?

The Intermediate Egret is a dexterous predator; it stalks its prey meticulously in shallow coastal or fresh water, including flooded fields.
 
Hence, the next time you decide to step into Orange County, Coorg, don’t forget to look out for this delightful bird. It would be the naturalist’s pleasure to help you with this task!

Deepti Michelle John

Deepti, based out of Bangalore, works as Assistant Manager (Marketing) at Orange County Resorts. Possessing Master’s degrees in Psychology and Media and Communications from the London School of Economics, she enjoys spirituality, music, nature, and children.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 29th, 2010 at 11:24 PM and is filed under Birds, Plantation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.