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Description:
The great egret is one of the larger
members of the heron family, growing to a height of approximately 32 inches,
with a wingspan of 55 inches. Body color is entirely white. The
bill is thick and yellow; the legs and feet are black. When in breeding
plumage from November through January, the great egret can appear somewhat
shaggy due to the fine, threadlike feathers that grow downwards along the
neck and back.
Habitat:
Great egrets are commonly found in wetland habitats including
mangroves, coastlines, rivers, and lakes. Nesting
great egrets have shown preferences for sites where water levels recede in
early spring, concentrating prey species in a smaller area and allowing
fledglings to feed more successfully.
Similar Species:
Great egrets are easily confused
with "great white herons", which are actually white great blue herons (Ardea
herodias) and occur only in central and southern Florida. The great egret's black legs and feet
distinguish it from the great white heron, which has yellow legs.
Range:
Great egrets range from Oregon,
Wisconsin and Massachusetts south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and
most of South America.
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Great Egret along the shores of the Indian River Lagoon. Photo courtesy of S. Kuhns, Stuart, FL.
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Great egret in a red mangrove tree.
Photo courtesy of C. Sewell.
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Great egrets may lay as many as five eggs during the breeding season.
The eggs do not hatch at the same time, and thus, the first chick to hatch becomes the most experienced at food handling, and
quickly becomes the most experienced aggressor toward its siblings. As a result, nestmates
have varied growth rates, with the first chick generally growing the
fastest.
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