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GALLERIES > BIRDS > CICONIIFORMES > ARDEIDAE > GREAT EGRET [Ardea alba]    [plot on map]


Great Egret Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Maumee Bay State Park, OH
GPS: 41.7N, -83.4W, elev=577' MAP
Date: May 12, 2018
ID : B13K6482 [4896 x 3264]

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Great Egret Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: July 21, 2008
ID : 7C2V5864 [3888 x 2592]

Great Egret Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: South El Monte (Legg Lake), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.1W, elev=222' MAP
Date: December 24, 2009
ID : 7C2V5268 [3888 x 2592]

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Great Egret Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Davis, California
GPS: 38.6N, -121.7W, elev=25' MAP
Date: December 9, 2012
ID : B13K1180 [4896 x 3264]

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Great Egret Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: San Jacinto Wildlife Area, CA
GPS: 33.9N, -117.1W, elev=1,426' MAP
Date: August 22, 2010
ID : 7C2V2095 [3888 x 2592]

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Location: Playa del Rey (Ballona Creek), CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.4W, elev=0' MAP
Date: November 9, 2010

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Great Egret Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: San Jacinto Wildlife Area, CA
GPS: 33.9N, -117.1W, elev=1,426' MAP
Date: August 22, 2010
ID : 7C2V2101 [3888 x 2592]

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Great Egret Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Punta Sur, Isla de Cozumel, Mexico
GPS: 20.3N, -87.0W, elev=4' MAP
Date: October 24, 2008
ID : 7C2V1514 [3888 x 2592]

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SPECIES INFO

The Great Egret Ardea alba, also known as the Great White Egret, White Heron, or Common Egret, is a wading egret, found in most of the tropical and warmer temperate parts of the world, although it is very local in southern Europe and Asia. It is called Kotuku in New Zealand. It is sometimes confused with the Great White Heron in Florida, which is a white morph of the Great Blue Heron.

The Great Egret is a large bird with all white plumage that can reach 101 cm in height and weigh up to 950 g. It is only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or Grey Herons. Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet. It also has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.

The Great Egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, spearing fish, frogs or insects with its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It is a conspicuous species, usually easily seen.

The Great Egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with cold winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest. The call at breeding colonies is a loud croaking "cuk cuk cuk".

Various authors also identify this species as Egretta alba and Casmerodius albus. However, this species closely resembles the large Ardea herons such as Grey Heron and Great Blue Heron in everything but colour, whereas it shows fewer similarities to the smaller white egrets.

There are four subspecies in various parts of the world, of which the largest is A. a. modesta.




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