Wading Birds: Great Egret

The Great Egret is found throughout North America to varying degrees. I have found a significantly higher percent of Great Blue Herons in the Northwest versus the Great Egret. But the reverse is true in California. The Great Egret is a large bird with all-white plumage that can reach one meter in height, weigh up to 2 pounds, with a wingspan of 51 inches. Although smaller than the Great Blue Heron it is significantly larger than either the Snowy or Cattle Egret making it a little easier to identify. Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its long yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults. It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, ibises and spoonbills, which extend their necks in flight. The Great Egret is a year round resident along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts. Inland residents migrate to Mexico for the winter.  It breeds in colonies called "rookeries" -- just like the Great Blue Heron. These colonies are high up in trees close to water. In some places, the Great Egret will use the same nest that the Great Blue Heron uses -- a couple weeks after the Great Blue Heron. A large number of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. It adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas. The Great Egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, feeding mainly on fish, frogs, small mammals, and occasionally small birds and reptiles, spearing them with its long, sharp bill by standing still and allowing the prey to come within its striking distance. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. Great Egrets are fairly easy to photograph. With care -- and a little luck -- you can get very close allowing get detail in the plumage. Here are some favorite Great Egret photos of mine:

photo taken in Southcentral California

photo taken in Central Washington

photo taken at Hassayampa Preserve, Arizona

photo taken at Christopher Columbus Lake, Arizona

photo taken at Agua Caliente, Arizona

photo taken at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona

photo taken at Whitewater Draw, Arizona

photo taken at Sweetwater Wetlands, Arizona