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Doug J | all galleries >> Galleries >> Birds of Florida > Great Egret - with lunch
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26-Mar-2011 Copyright Douglas Janson

Great Egret - with lunch

Scientific name: Ardea alba
Order: Pelecaniformes

The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white heron, is a large heron with all-white plumage. Standing up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, this species can measure 80 to 104 cm (31 to 41 in) in length and have a wingspan of 131 to 170 cm (52 to 67 in). It’s a widely distributed egret, distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world. It builds tree nests in colonies close to water.

The great egret 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.


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