Great Egret
Ardea alba · Bird, Vertebrate, Warm-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Ardeidae, order Pelecaniformes, class Aves
Animal Category
Wild Prey
Breed / Variety
American Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta)
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern with a stable or increasing population trend, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
About This Creature
Large, stark white bird standing about 3 feet tall with a wingspan of over 4 feet, weighing around 2 to 3 pounds. Long slender neck, very long black legs, and a bright yellow-orange bill.
Physical Characteristics
S-shaped curved neck, dagger-like yellow bill, long dark legs and feet, all-white plumage which develops delicate breeding plumes on the back during mating season.
Behavior & Temperament
Solitary foragers but roost and nest in colonies. Diurnal activity. Highly patient hunters, standing motionless or wading slowly in shallow water.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Found globally in tropical and temperate regions across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and southern Europe.
Habitat
Wetland/Marsh, Freshwater (River/Lake), Coastal marine environments. Semi-aquatic and terrestrial.
Diet & Nutrition
Carnivore. Primarily feeds on fish, frogs, small reptiles, aquatic insects, and small mammals using a quick strike of its sharp bill.
Lifespan & Health
Average lifespan in the wild is 15 years, up to 22 years in captivity. Subject to predation by large raptors, raccoons, and mammalian predators.
Special Characteristics
Famous for nearly being hunted to extinction in the late 19th century for its plumage, leading to the establishment of the Audubon Society.
Ecological Information
Acts as an apex predator in many small wetland food webs, helping to control populations of fish and amphibians.