Pacific Reef Egret

Common name for a large wading bird, with the binomial designation Egretta sacra, of which there exists a dark morph (fig.), as well as a white one. In the breeding season, adults develop plumes on the nape, back and breast. The pale, greenish to yellowish bill is relatively thick and blunt, with a usually darker upper mandible. Its legs are also greenish to yellowish and in flight only the feet and a small part of the legs project behind the tail-tip. They are often found in pair and favour beaches, rocky shores and islets, as well as mudflats on occasion. Also known as Pacific Reef Heron and Eastern Reef Egret, and in Thai called nok yahng thale (นกยางทะเล). See also WILDLIFE PICTURES. 回