Great Egret (Ardea alba) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Great Egret is a tall white heron found in wetlands across much of the United States, with a yellow bill and black legs. Hunters once killed Great Egrets for the long feathers they grow during the breeding season, and protection helped them recover.

Appearance

Appearance: A big , about 35–41 in (89–104 cm) long with a wingspan of about 4.5 ft (1.4 m). American birds have all-white feathers, a yellow bill, and black legs; breeding adults grow long, lacy on the back.

Look-alikes

Snowy EgretEgretta thula

A Snowy Egret is smaller, with a black bill and bright yellow feet. An American Great Egret is larger, with a yellow bill and black feet.

Great Blue HeronArdea herodias

The white form of a Great Blue Heron has a heavier bill and paler legs. A Great Egret has a slimmer bill and dark legs.

Why they get mixed upWhite Great Blue Herons can look like oversized egrets in Florida.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Marshes
Ponds and lakes
Coastal lagoons
Mudflats
Range: Found across much of the lower 48 states, from the coasts to inland rivers and lakes, and it has been slowly spreading farther north in recent decades.
Seasonal presence: Birds leave northern nesting areas in winter and spend the winter only where the water stays open and unfrozen.
When it’s recorded: Recorded year-round, every year
126,315 observations in the US · 10 years · for referenceChoose a state

Behavior

Diet: Mostly fish, plus crayfish and other crustaceans, frogs, snakes, and insects. It stands still or wades slowly in shallow water, then strikes with a quick jab of its bill.

Life cycle

Nest: Nests in colonies, often with other herons, in trees or shrubs near water, usually 10–40 ft (3–12 m) up.
Clutch size: Usually 3–4 eggs
Incubation: Both parents take turns for 23–26 days.
Fledging: Young leave the nest at about 6–7 weeks old.

Name and classification

About the name: In the Americas, Great Egrets belong to the Ardea alba egretta. Other subspecies occur in Eurasia, Africa, and Asia to Australia.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
Status: Wisconsin lists it as Threatened, while Ohio and Indiana list it as a species of concern.

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The Great Egret became the emblem of the National Audubon Society.

21 sources