Order: Ciconiiformes

Family: Ardeidae

Chick Type: Semialtricial (chick has mobility, need food from parents and requires parental attendance)

Great Egrets are found along both U.S. coastlines and in the central parts of the U.S. This species is found year round along the west coast and in the southeast coastline of the U.S., and south to northern South America. In addition to North and South America, this species is also found in Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. It is one of the several cosmopolitan bird species.

Egrets build stick nest on trees; the nests are usually not far from water. They breed in colonies called Rookeries. Often other wading birds will nest with them in rookeries, such as Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Tri-colored Herons, Roseate Spoonbills and cormorants. Usually three to four eggs are laid, and will hatch after 23 - 24 days. The eggs will hatch asynchronously, which leads to a range of chick sizes at the nest. The oldest chick, being the largest and most dominate during feeding times. Great Egret chicks will practice siblicide. American Alligators will usually wait under rookeries and snap up chicks that fall off the nest.

This large egret eats small vertebrates and large invertebrates. Fish makes the bulk of its diet, but crayfish, insects, small mammals, frogs, salamanders, snakes, turtles, lizards and baby alligators are all fair game. Food items are killed by stabbing and then swallowed whole.

This white wading bird differs from Cattle Egret and Snowy Egret by their yellow bill and black legs and feet. Great Egrets are also larger than other Egrets.

Like many wading birds, this species made an excellent comeback from the plume hunting days. "Aigrette" plumes were very popular in women's hats. Thankfully, through the work of the Audubon Society, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and other pro-wildlife organizations, this species has made a full recovery and has protected sites for its rookeries. The Audubon Society picked the Great Egret as the symbol of their organization since saving this species was a big part of their early history. Smith Oaks rookery is one of the more famous rookeries in east Texas; it's managed by the Houston Audubon Society.

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