Ardea alba

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Family

Ardeidae

Genus

Ardea

Species

alba

Common Names

Great Egret, Great White Egret, Large Egret, White Egret, Great White Heron, White Crane

Distinguishing Features

This tall, elegant looking bird is 85 to 105cm. It has long legs and a long, pointed bill. Its long neck is kinked in the middle and its plumage is completely white. During the breeding season, the yellow bill and legs turn dark-coloured, white the patch around the eye goes bright turquoise. Long, fine feathers also develop on the back, hanging down past the tail.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A hollow, rattling croak of 'argh-argh-argh' or a gutsy nesting alarm.

Similar Species

The Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia) is alomost identical to the Great Egret, except that it is smaller in size. On close inspection, the coloured eye patch on the Great Egret extends further back beyond the eye.

Distribution

This species is found in all but the most arid regions of Australia. While fairly common in most part of its range, it is more rare on the small islands surrounding Australia and in New Zealand. It is common in the tropical and subtropical regions across the world.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

This species is rare in the Canberra region, with most sightings being made at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. In regional parts of NSW, they have been recognised as a significantly declining species in response to water being pumped out of the natural waterways for irrigation.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

11 sightings were made at the peninsula of the National Museum of Australia.

Associated vegetation community

This species will inhabit a variety of wetland areas, flooded pastures, coastal mudflats, mangroves, sewage farms and reefs.

Limiting Resources

Male birds prefer to defend territory and keep the same nest year after year, making nesting more difficult if forced to move on due to a drought, water diversions or land clearing in the previous territory. Strong, tall trees are required for nesting and waterbodies must be rich in diverse aquatic animals for their diet.

Breeding

The breeding season in this region generally runs from October to December. Nesting occurs in large colonies, often with other large waterbird species such as cormorants, ibises, spoonbills and other egrets. They nest on tree forks in the tops of trees growing in the water, often reusing the nest from the previous year. The nest is a rough platform of sticks and twigs, up to 70cm in diameter. 2-3 pale blue-green eggs are laid and then incubated by both parents for 20-25 days. After about 42 days the young birds may be ready to leave the nest, with confident flight occurring after a further 2 weeks.

 

Behaviour

The Great Egret is usually seen alone or in small groups, standing motionless in shallow water, waiting to thrust its neck and spearing bill into the water for a catch. It will also stalk slowly through the shallow water or wet grass, grabbing prey as it is disturbed. In flight, birds use slow, deliberate wing beats. At night they move to communal roosts. In breeding colonies, birds will make spectacular displays.

Functional Group

Carnivore

Food Species

The Great Egret eats mainly fish, but also amphibians and aquatic insects and their larvae. They will also eat crustaceans, small reptiles and sometimes even small birds and mammals.

Predators

This large species is less rarely predated than many others and is in fact a predator to some small birds when fish are unavailable.

Interesting Fact

In a good breeding season, the egrets will nest very close together, with as many of 50 recorded in the same tree.