A large all-white waterbird, the Great Egret has a yellow beak and black legs, unlike the smaller snowy egret which has a black beak and yellow legs. Hunted to near extinction in the early 1900’s for its beautiful breeding season plumes (called aigrette’s) this Egret population has made a dramatic comeback, but is still less than 10% of the historic population. The Great Egret is seen in breeding season in mixed flocks with other herons, egrets, bitterns, and pelicans.

Latin Name: Ardea Alba

Habitat: Swamp, Marsh, River

Diet: fish, aquatic insects, frogs, crayfish