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Great White Egret

Ardea alba

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Quick Facts

Classification

Scientific name:

Ardea alba

Family:

Herons, storks and ibises

Conservation status:

Not Assessed

Measurements

Length:

80cm to 104cm

Wingspan:

131cm to 170cm

Weight:

700g to 1.5kg

About the Great White Egret

The great white egret is a large white member of the heron family. These birds do look rather similar to little egrets but are considerably larger.

They are white all over with black legs and yellow beaks (in juvenile and non-breeding plumage). They do have a completely different technique when it comes to fishing, compared to the little egret - it's much more like the grey heron. They use their long, sharp beaks to capture their food.

What does the Great White Egret eat?

Their diets mainly consist of insects, fish and frogs.

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Learn more about the Great White Egret

Other birds in the Herons, storks and ibises family

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