Indian Birds: Smaller Egret

Local Name: Cherumunti 

Size: Slightly smaller than the Large Egret. 

Field Characters: Somewhat smaller, but otherwise very like the Large Egret and easily confused with it. Differentiation more satisfactory in breeding plumage, when it has decomposed ornamental plumes on both back and breast. No crest. Sexes alike. Solitary, or in small parties at marshes. Resident. Fairly common but not abundant. Frequents the coastal backwaters, as well as tanks and inundated paddy cultivation inland. Much persecuted by local shikaris and as a rule inordinately wary everywhere. Distributed  outside Kerala is in CeylonCeylon, all India, Burma, Malaysia, Indochinese countries to Japan and the Philippines .