Bird Gallery Index

Great Egret (breeding plumage) at Smith Oaks Rookery, image © John Nelson

Family:  (Ardeidae) Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Preferred Habitat: Marshes, ponds and lakes

Seasonal Occurrence: Common throughout the year

Notes: The Great Egret may be distinguished from the Snowy Egret by its all-black legs and feet, yellow bill and larger size. Males and females look alike, with males somewhat larger. In breeding plumage, both sexes develop spectacular long, lacy plumes extending down their backs beyond their tails. Other breeding marks include orange bill color and a turquoise-green patch of skin between bill and eye. In the late 1800's millions of Great and Snowy Egrets, as well as other water birds, were slaughtered by plume-hunters for the millinery trade. In response, the first Audubon Society was formed in Massachusetts in 1896 to help protect them. A Great Egret serves as the logo of the National Audubon Society. Great Egret numbers have grown significantly since they were given protection, but there are still regions in the United States, particularly in the west, where wetlands loss has caused population declines. We are fortunate to have Great Egrets nest at the Smith Oaks Rookery where visitors can easily admire and study them.
- Susan Billetdeaux