great egret

1. Bird Name
English Name: Great Egret
Scientific Name: Ardea alba

2. Appearance
The Great Egret is a wading bird species that is strikingly noticeable with its all-white plumage. This bird possesses long, slender necks, a narrow, pointed yellow bill, and long, thin black legs with large, impressive feet. Contrasting the yellow bill, the Great Egret’s lores – the area between the eyes and the bill – change to a vivid green during the breeding season. The bird also sports elegant plumage “aigrettes” during this time, best seen when the bird spreads its wings. There is no significant difference between the appearance of males and females.

3. Size
Great Egrets stand tall at an average length of about 101 cm (40 inches), and their wingspan can reach an impressive span of up to 170 cm (67 inches). The average weight of these statuesque birds ranges between 700 and 1500 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Great Egret is a cosmopolitan bird, found across all continents except Antarctica. In the Americas, they can be seen from Canada to Argentina, while in Europe, Asia, and Africa they inhabit areas from Spain and Greece all the way to Japan, Australia, and South Africa. They are partial to both freshwater and saltwater habitats, including ponds, marshes, shores, and mud flats.

5. Interesting Facts
This long-legged bird has a spectacular way of hunting by slowly wading or standing still in waits for prey before striking at remarkable speed. Moreover, during the nineteenth century, the Great Egret suffered a significant reduction in population due to its beautiful breeding plumage being sought after in the fashion industry. However, it was also the plight of the great egret that led to the formation of the first bird protection laws and organizations in the United States.

6. Diet
The Great Egret is a carnivore that feeds mainly on fish, but its diet also includes amphibians, reptiles, birds, small mammals, and invertebrates like crayfish, prawns, and insects.

7. Behavior & Sounds
While the Great Egret is typically silent outside of breeding colonies, it does have a few sounds: a low, guttural croak when disturbed, a high-pitched squawk when in flight, and various calls while in colonies. These birds are solitary feeders and are known to exhibit territorial aggression particularly during breeding season. They nest in colonies, typically on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs.

8. Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Great Egret as a species of Least Concern, due to its widespread distribution and large, increasing populations.

9. Lifespan
In the wild, the Great Egret has a lifespan of about 15 years, although some individuals in captivity have been known to live for over 22 years.

10. Additional Notes
The Great Egret goes by different names in various regions, like the Common Egret, Large Egret, or Great White Egret. They have had cultural significance in many societies and have appeared in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Known for their graceful flight pattern, they are known to fly slowly but powerfully: with just two wingbeats per second their cruising speed is around 25 miles an hour. As predators, they play a crucial role in controlling the population of their prey and, thus, maintaining the balance of their ecosystems.