Western Great Egret Ardea alba
- IdentificationVisual tips about this species
- BehaviourHabitat, behaviour, and food
- PopulationSubspecies and numbers
- ReproductionNesting and eggs
Identification
The Great White Egret is one of Europe's most graceful looking birds due to its impressive size and pure white plumage. It could conceivably be mistaken for the equally white Little Egret but it is the size of a Grey Heron, and has a longer, often kinked, neck.
Ageing
Immatures and winter adults have mud-coloured legs and a yellow bill. Breeding birds have a black bill, yellow legs and distrinctive plumes called algrettes.
Voice
In their breeding colonies they produce a surprisingly soft cackling noise.
Sexing
Sexes similar.
Length
85-100cm
Behaviour
Migration
Partially migratory and dispersive. Most European birds migrate to North Africa and the middle East (especially Israel) but they are also wintering in increasing numbers around the Adriatic and even in Holland.
Habitat
Breeds in extensive areas of reeds, usually by large shallow lakes or fishponds.
Food
Mainly fish, but will also take insects, larvae and probably young birds.
Population trends
Declined massively in both numbers and range during the latter half of the 19th Century and early part of the 20th, as a result of persecution by the feather trade. There has been some recovery since and it is currently increasing and becoming more widespread and has started breeding in NW France.
Subspecies
Monotypic.
Population in Britain and Ireland
Rare vagrant. 180 accepted records between 1958 and 2002, most since the mid-1990's.
Where in Britain and Ireland
An increasingly frequent visitor to the UK, usually in spring and summer. East Anglia is the most popular destination for wanderers.
Population in Europe
A minimum of 2500-5000 pairs breed in Europe. Russian population 10000-11500.
Where in Europe
Becoming increasingly widespread in the wetlands of Eastern Europe, especially in Hungary, the danube delta and the large colony at lake Neusiedl (Austria) which holds over 500 pairs. Small but increasing breeding population in The Netherlands and recently established colony in NW France - first breeding 1994.
Nests
In April, nests in large reed beds. Constructs a large nest.
Eggs
3-5, pale blue, laid in April to June. Incubation takes 25-26 days. Young fledge after 42 days. 1 brood per year.
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