Home › Aves › Ardeidae › Great Egret (Ardea alba)
SPECIES PROFILE
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Ardea
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Worldwide (increasing in Europe)
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Wetlands, lakes, rivers
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Pelecaniformes
FAMILY
Ardeidae
GENUS
Ardea
📋 Description
SIZE
85-102 cm body length, wingspan 131-170 cm, 0.7-1.5 kg
COLORATION
Pure white, long neck, yellow bill
ADAPTATIONS
Elegant, stands-and-wait hunter
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Wetlands, lakes, rivers
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Worldwide (increasing in Europe)
REPRODUCTION
3-5 eggs, 1 brood per year
DIET DETAILS
Fish, amphibians
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, pollution
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Great Egret is a large all-white heron with a long, dagger-like yellow bill. It has expanded its range in Europe in recent decades.
2
It is now common in many wetlands where it was once rare.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Norfolk Broads UK
Camargue France
Danube Delta Romania
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for large white herons with long necks in wetlands.
