Great Egret
Ardea Alba
Family: Ardeidae
Length: 37 – 41 inches long
Wingspan: 55 inches long
Description: This is the largest white egret. A beautiful tall white bird with a long slender neck. It has a long yellow orange bill with black feet and legs. Male and female look the same.
Habits: This bird is a wader. The egret is much like the great blue heron, as it patiently waits for long periods of time in the water watching for its’ prey. Also perches in trees like the heron. A strange sight for such large birds.
Diet: The egret wades in shallow water and waits for its’ prey which consists of fish, frogs, snakes and other aquatic animals.
Mating: monogamous.
Nest: Nests in colonies with other similar species.
Migration: Migratory
Whitin Pond: Seen in late summer and into September on the pond.
A protected bird in North America.
.
or