Great Egret

Completely bright white plumage year-round. During the breeding season, adults develop long, delicate ornamental plumes (aigrettes) on their back, and the bare skin of the face (lores) turns a vibrant blue-green. Outside of breeding season, the lores are yellow. Males and females look alike, and juveniles resemble non-breeding adults.

Large size, all-white plumage, long S-curved neck, bright yellow bill, and entirely black legs and feet (unlike the Snowy Egret's yellow feet).

Length: 85–102 cm (33–40 in); Wingspan: 130–170 cm (51–67 in); Weight: 700–1,500 g (1.5–3.3 lbs).

Generally silent, but emits a harsh, low-pitched, guttural croak or squawk when disturbed or defending territory, sounding like 'cuk-cuk-cuk'.

Primarily fish, frogs, small reptiles, mammals, and large insects. Forages by standing still or wading slowly in shallow water to suddenly spear prey with its sharp bill.

Freshwater and saltwater wetlands, marshes, swamps, ponds, mudflats, and flooded fields.

Partial migrant. Populations in northern ranges migrate south to ice-free waters for the winter, while tropical and subtropical populations are resident.

Builds a bulky platform nest of sticks in trees, shrubs, or reed beds, often in colonies with other waterbirds. Clutch size is typically 3 to 5 pale blue-green eggs. Both parents incubate and feed the young.

Snowy Egret (much smaller, with black legs and bright yellow feet); Cattle Egret (smaller, shorter yellow bill, and buff-colored patches on the head and back).

Acts as an apex predator in aquatic ecosystems, helping control populations of fish, amphibians, and large insects, thereby maintaining the balance of wetland food webs.

Least Concern, with stable or increasing global populations, largely recovered from historical hunting for its plumes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Look for them in shallow wetlands, marshes, lake edges, and even flooded agricultural fields. Approach slowly and quietly, as they can be easily spooked by sudden movements.

The Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was founded in part to protect these birds from being hunted for their decorative plumage.