Long Legged Waders

Great Egret

Ardea alba
Great Egret thumbnail
Length: 39 in. (99 cm )
Large and obvious, the yellow bill and dark legs of this white water bird make identification easy. The Great Egret occurs around the world in marshy areas, irrigation ditches, ponds and in tidal estuaries where it stalks fish, insects, crustaceans, frogs and small birds. It makes a large nest of twigs and branches and usually nests in colonies with other water birds, such as herons, pelicans and cormorants. Following nesting in late summer, many individuals wander far north before returning to winter in coastal and warmer inland aquatic areas.

The four-digit banding code is GREG.


Marsh / swamp

Mudflat

Open water

Riparian / River forest

Urban city
Bird Sound Type: Rattling
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
Sonogram Zoom:

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Great Egret
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: April 19, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Great Egret. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved April 19, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Great Egret". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Great Egret". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 19 Apr 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/great-egret

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Cancer cells from the parathyroid gland
How Many Types of Cells Are in the Human Body?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

 

Share to Google Classroom