Ardea alba
Length: 35-40 in Wingspan: 50-60 in Weight: 2-4 lbs
Identification:
Large white bird with orange bill and black legs and feet. Lores are typically yellow, becoming blue/green for a brief period during courtship.
Distribution:
Resident along the coasts of the continental United States and Mexico, with range extending into the central US in summer and and southern South America in winter.
Cool Facts:
The Great Egret’s elegant breeding plumes, called “aigrettes,” were prized ornaments for women’s hats in the 19th century. The National Audubon Society was founded to protect egrets and other species from being hunted to extinction; the Great Egret still serves as their logo, symbolizing the power of successful conservation.
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