Colours
Distinguishing features
It is a large heron with all-white plumage. Apart from size, it can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season.
In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back.
Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 51 cm to 58 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- From 79 cm to 97 cm
Synonyms
Similar taxa
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Animalia:
Intermediate Egret (species: Ardea (Ardea) intermedia)
The Great Egret is differentiated from the Intermediate Egret by the gape, which extends well beyond the back of the eye in case of the Great Egret, but ends just behind the eye in case of the Intermediate Egret. - Animalia: Eastern Great Egret (species: Ardea (Casmerodius) modesta)
Distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, in southern Europe it is rather localized. In North America it is more widely distributed, and it is ubiquitous across the Sun Belt of the United States and in the rainforests of South America. (Wikipedia)
Diet
It feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, feeding mainly on fish, frogs, small mammals, and occasionally small reptiles and insects, spearing them with its long, sharp bill most of the time by standing still and allowing the prey to come within its striking distance of its bill which it uses as a spear. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. (Wikipedia)
