Great Egret Identification

Long-legged wading bird with a longS-curved neck and a daggerlike bill.

"American" Great Egrets occur across much of North America and South America. Breeding adults have an orange-yellow bill and develop showy plumes (known as aigrettes) that they use in courtship displays.

"African" Great Egrets are found in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Breeding adults have a black bill and blue-green lores between the bill and the eyes.

Great Egrets breeding from central Europe to central Asia belong to the alba subspecies group. Breeding adults in this group have a blackish billgreenish loresand yellowish to reddish legs.

Great Egrets breeding from South Asia and East Asia to Australia belong to the modesta subspecies group. Breeding adults in this group have a black billgreen loresand dark legs with a pink or purplish wash.

Flies with its long neck tucked in and its long legs trailing behind.

Wades through water slowly stalking fishamphibiansand other aquatic invertebrates.

"American" Great Egret is larger than a Snowy Egretwith a yellow bill and entirely black legs and feet.

Found in both freshwater and saltwater wetlands.