A pair of Great White Egrets – Egretta alba - are raising two
youngsters at Shapwick Heath, Somerset,
UK.
This is a just
reward for the magnificent effort invested in restoring the reserve as one of Europe's premier wetland habitats. A mix of extensive
reedbeds, fenland, meadows and wet woodland means that the egrets join an
ever-increasing list of around 65 breeding bird species across the site.
Great White Egret
The Great Egret or Great
White Egret – Egretta alba – is the largest egret in the World. It
is the symbol of the National Audubon Society and represents a conservation
success story. The Great White Egret is a large white heron and is found across
much of the world, from southern Canada
southward to Argentina, and
in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The species inhabits all kinds of inland and coastal wetlands, river margins,
lake shores, marshes, flood-plains etc.
Description
A large all-white Egret with
large yellow bill, long black legs and feet. In breeding plumage, delicate
ornamental feathers are borne on the back and the bill becomes black. Males and
females are identical.
Call
A deep loud croak when disturbed
and low croaking cuk cuk cuk at the nest.
Food
Feeds mainly on fish, frogs,
mammals, reptiles and insects.
Breeding
Nests in colonies with other
herons. The nest is constructed from sticks and other vegetation. It is
normally positioned over water. The clutch size is between 2 to 4 pale
greenish-blue eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs. The young egrets are
aggressive towards one another in the nest, and the stronger siblings often
kill their weaker kin.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
Plume hunters in the late 1800s
and early 1900s reduced North American populations by more than 95 percent. The
populations recovered after the birds were protected by law. No population is
considered threatened, but the species is threatened by wetland habitat
degradation and loss.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding
Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create an Aves custom tour for you or
book on one of the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Temba Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves North East Birding Tour /
Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves West Coast Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure.