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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Great Egret

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Name

Great Egret

Scientific Name

(Ardea alba)

Why they are special:
  • Florida’s elegant white wader, easily recognizable by its long black legs, yellow bill, and striking breeding plumes.

  • One of the most iconic coastal birds, often seen hunting in shallow water or nesting in large colonies.
Size and color:
  • Very large heron, 37–41 inches long with a wingspan of 51–57 inches.

  • Pure white plumage, black legs, long yellow bill.

  • Breeding adults display long, delicate plumes on back, neck, and chest.
Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round resident, abundant in coastal and inland wetlands.
Habitat:
  • Salt marshes, tidal flats, mangroves, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and ponds.

  • Often seen wading slowly in shallow water or flying gracefully with neck retracted.
Diet:
  • Feeds on fish, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans, captured by stalking and spearing with its sharp bill.
Behavior:
  • Solitary or in loose groups while feeding; nests in colonies with other wading birds.

  • Highly territorial during breeding, with conspicuous courtship displays.

Conservation notes:
  • Populations are stable; previously hunted for plumes in the early 1900s but recovered fully after protections.
Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially in shallow coastal flats, marshes, and estuarine habitats.
Fun Fact:
  • Great Egrets were once nearly driven to extinction for the millinery trade, but they now thrive in protected coastal areas.
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