Bird. The great egret is a member of the heron family. With a wingspread of 130 centimeters (55 inches), their wings are longer and wider than most other white herons. Great egrets do not eat at night. During the day, they forage alone or in mixed flocks, catching fish by standing motionless in the water. They sometimes steal food from the smaller birds. Great egrets are fearless and can sometimes be seen perched on top of alligators! In the 19th century, the great egret's beautiful white plumes were used to decorate ladies' hats. At one point, the plumes were so popular they were worth twice their weight in gold! |
Scientific
Name |
Lifespan |
Ardea albus |
1-3 years, 22 in captivity |
Diet |
Carnivore. Fish, snakes, frogs, and some insects. |
Predators and Threats |
Raccoons, crows, vultures, and humans through habitat destruction. |
Habitat |
Found along streams, ponds, marshes, and mudflats; also inland lakes and wooded swamp areas; Central Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North, Central and South America. |