Great Egret
Ardea alba
Long Legged Waders
Length: 39 in. (99 cm )
Large and obvious, the yellow bill and dark legs of this white water bird make identification easy. The Great Egret occurs around the world in marshy areas, irrigation ditches, ponds and in tidal estuaries where it stalks fish, insects, crustaceans, frogs and small birds. It makes a large nest of twigs and branches and usually nests in colonies with other water birds, such as herons, pelicans and cormorants. Following nesting in late summer, many individuals wander far north before returning to winter in coastal and warmer inland aquatic areas.
The four-digit banding code is GREG.
Male |
Male |
Marsh / swamp
Mudflat
Open water
Riparian / River forest
Urban city
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Great Egret
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:36). Great Egret. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "Great Egret". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Great Egret". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret
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