Great White Egret Bird Facts (Ardea alba)

The Great White Egret is a striking, tall, wading bird with pure white plumage. It has a long, slender neck, a dagger-like yellow bill, and long black legs. During the breeding season, it develops long, filamentous plumes on its back.

Females and males look alike throughout the year, although males tend to be larger and heavier. The bill may turn darker in breeding plumage, and the facial skin becomes green. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Great White Egret can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Great White Egret can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Great White Egret is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Great White Egrets inhabit various wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. They have a widespread global distribution found on every continent except Antarctica.

In North America, they're common in the southern United States and along both coasts. In Europe, their range has been expanding northward, with increasing numbers in the UK, particularly in Somerset and East Anglia.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Great White Egret. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that pass through the area during migration

Denmark Germany South Sudan Yemen

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Great White Egret demonstrates remarkable agility in its hunting technique, striking at prey with lightning speed. Its ability to fly at speeds up to 40 km/h and navigate through various wetland habitats also indicates high agility.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong for its size, the Great White Egret possesses sufficient strength to carry and manipulate sizeable prey items. Its ability to construct large stick nests and defend territory suggests moderate strength.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Great White Egret's widespread global distribution across various wetland habitats and climate zones indicates high adaptability. Its recent range expansion in Europe, including the UK, further demonstrates its capacity to adapt to new environments.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally not considered an aggressive species, the Great White Egret can display territorial behaviour during breeding season. Its ability to defend nesting sites and compete for food resources suggests moderate aggressiveness when necessary.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Great White Egret's ability to stand motionless for long periods whilst hunting, coupled with its capacity for long-distance flight during migration, indicates good endurance. Its lifespan of 15-20 years also suggests robust endurance.

Great White Egrets are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming fish, amphibians, and small reptiles. They also eat small mammals, insects, and other birds. Their hunting technique involves standing still in water up to about a foot (0.3m) deep or slowly stalking prey before quickly striking with their sharp bill.

Great White Egrets are often seen standing motionless in shallow water, waiting to strike at prey with lightning speed. They are generally solitary feeders but may gather in small groups during breeding season. These birds fly with slow wingbeats, their necks folded in an S-shape, distinguishing them from cranes.

Great White Egrets are generally silent, but during breeding season, they become more vocal. Their calls include a low, hoarse croak or 'frahnk' sound, often heard at rookeries. During courtship, they may produce a series of clicking or snapping sounds with their bill.

Great White Egrets typically breed in colonies, often with other heron species. Pair formation begins with elaborate courtship displays, including neck stretching and feather erection. The breeding season varies by location but often occurs in spring and summer.

Nests are large platforms of sticks, usually built in trees or tall shrubs near water. Females lay 3-4 pale blue-green eggs, and both parents share incubation duties.

Incubation lasts about 23-26 days. Chicks fledge after 6-7 weeks but may return to the nest for several more weeks to be fed.

The Great White Egret typically lives for 15 to 20 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Great White Egrets faced severe declines in the past due to hunting for their plumes.

Conservation efforts, including habitat protection and hunting regulations, have helped populations recover in many areas. However, wetland loss remains a concern.

Look for them in shallow waters of wetlands, marshes, and coastal areas
Observe their patient hunting technique, standing still for long periods
During the breeding season, watch for their elaborate courtship displays in rookeries
In the UK, visit Somerset Levels or East Anglian fens for sightings

Main predators include large raptors, such as eagles and hawks, as well as raccoons and alligators for eggs and young.

Great White Egrets can strike and swallow prey in less than 1/20th of a second.
They were once hunted nearly to extinction for their plumes, which were used in fashion.
These birds can fly at speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph).

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