The headline of
the week, the breeding of not one but two pairs of Great White Egrets at Shapwick Heath, Somerset. With three juveniles fledged from
the first nest and another single chick now raised by another pair.
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
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Eastern Cape Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.
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Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
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Tour/Safari/Adventure.
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Tour/Safari/Adventure.
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Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.