Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Description: The Great Egret is a member of the heron family. It is very large and is completely white (except for the beak and legs). Its legs and feet are black and lengthy. Its beak is lengthy and yellow. Its neck is extremely long and flexible and often forms an S-bend. The Great Egret is 37.0-40.9 in. in length and has a wingspan of 51.6-57.1 in. It weighs approximately 35.3 oz.
Habitat: Great Egrets can be found throughout North and South America. However, it is only present in the winter in South America. Great Egrets live with many other species in bushes or trees in wetland habitats. They can be found in several wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes. They nest in groups with other egrets in trees or bushes. Their nests are made of sticks.
Diet: The Great Egret is a carnivore that eats many of the other animals that live in the wetlands. These animals include: fish, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, other birds, and small mammals.
Behaviors:
Miscellaneous:
Habitat: Great Egrets can be found throughout North and South America. However, it is only present in the winter in South America. Great Egrets live with many other species in bushes or trees in wetland habitats. They can be found in several wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes. They nest in groups with other egrets in trees or bushes. Their nests are made of sticks.
Diet: The Great Egret is a carnivore that eats many of the other animals that live in the wetlands. These animals include: fish, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, other birds, and small mammals.
Behaviors:
- Great Egrets hold up feathers above their backs in a mating ritual to attract partners
- It proceeds at a slow pace through the wetlands until it encounters some food and plunges its beak into the water to kill and eat the prey
- Great Egrets emit low calls when they are bothered
Miscellaneous:
- The Great Egret is the symbol of the Audubon Society