Great Egret - Ardea alba
Identification Tips:
- Length: 32 inches Wingspan: 55 inches
- Sexes similar
- Large long-legged long-necked wading bird
- Usually holds neck in an "S" curve in flight
- Long, thick yellow bill
- Black legs and feet
- Entirely white plumage
- Juvenile similar to basic-plumaged adult
Adult alternate:
- Shaggy neck and back plumes
Similar species:
Cattle Egret much smaller with a shorter, stubbier bill and
pale legs. Snowy Egret is smaller and has black bill and yellow feet.
Immature Little blue Heron is smaller and has a pale bill with a
black tip, and green legs.
Reddish Egrets (white morph) have pale bills with
black tips and blue-gray legs.
The "Great White" Heron of southern Florida has yellow legs.