Great Egret
Ardea alba
Aves › Pelecaniformes › Ardeidae › Ardea
Conservation status: least_concern
The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret, great white egret, or great white heron, is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Recently, it has also been spreading to more northern areas of Europe. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, it builds tree nests in colonies close to water.
How To Identify
It stands tall, reaching up to 4 feet in length, characterized by its brilliant pure white plumage, contrasting sharply with long yellow bills and webbed feet.
Habitat
Great Egrets inhabit freshwater and brackish wetlands including marshes, swamps, lake edges, and river valleys, preferring areas with shallow water and abundant fish.
Behaviour
They hunt by slowly stalking through shallow water with their necks retracted, then explosively striking at prey with their sharp bills, and they often engage in communal roosting and nesting in colonies.
Native Range
The great egret is distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world.
Did You Know?
Great Egrets can strike with their long necks at speeds exceeding 100 km/h, making them incredibly efficient hunters despite their seemingly graceful appearance. They were once hunted nearly to extinction for their breeding plumage, which was fashionable in the hat trade.
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