great egret (Ardea alba)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 32 inches Wingspan: 55 inches

• Sexes similar

• Large long-legged long-necked wading bird

• Usually holds neck in an "S" curve in flight

• Long, thick yellow bill

• Black legs and feet

• Entirely white plumage

• Juvenile similar to basic-plumaged adult

Adult alternate:

• Shaggy neck and back plumes

Similar species:

Cattle egret much smaller with a shorter, stubbier bill and pale legs.
Snowy egret is smaller and has black bill and yellow feet. Immature
little blue heron is smaller and has a pale bill with a black tip, and green
legs. Reddish egrets (white morph) have pale bills with black tips and
blue-gray legs. The "great white" heron of southern Florida has yellow
legs.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 23-26 days
Days to Fledge: 42-49
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Mostly aquatic invertebrates, fish; lesser quantities of reptiles
or amphibians, small mammals

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August R
      Fall: September, October, November Acc

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

Back to Inventory of Bird Families and Species