Pacific Reef Heron

The Pacific reef heron, also called the eastern reef heron or egret, is a medium-sized heron 57–66 cm long with a wingspan of 90–110 cm and an average weight of about 400 g. The sexes look alike. It shows an unusual, non-sexual dimorphism in two colour morphs: some birds are pure white and the larger share are charcoal grey. The plumage of immatures tends to be browner and duller (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is found throughout southern Asia and Oceania. Two or three pale greenish-blue eggs are laid in nests of branches and blossoms, and clutches are laid year-round in colonies in the jungle among palms and mangroves or in cavities of old buildings. Most of the cached account describes birds in Micronesia and Polynesia and gives nothing specific to India. SoIB 2023 lists it as a resident of islands and wetland that is an omnivore, without a priority category (Wikipedia, general species account; SoIB 2023).