Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Ardea alba"
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| − | + | {{Taxobox begin | color = pink | name = Great White Egret}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox image | image = [[image:GreatEgretWinter.jpg]] | caption = }} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox begin placement | color = pink}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox regnum entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox phylum entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox classis entry | taxon = [[Aves]]}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox ordo entry | taxon = [[Ciconiiformes]]}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox familia entry | taxon = [[Ardeidae]]}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox genus entry | taxon = ''[[Ardea]]''}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox species entry | taxon = '''''A. alba'''''}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox end placement}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox section binomial | color = pink | binomial_name = Ardea alba | author = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] | date = 1758}} | |
| − | + | {{Taxobox end}} | |
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| − | Great Egret is | + | The '''Great Egret''' (''Ardea alba''), also known as the ''' Great White Egret''', '''White Heron''', or '''Common Egret''', is a wading [[egret]], found in most of the tropical and warmer temperate parts of the world, although it is very local in southern [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It should not be confused with the Great White Heron, which is a white morph of the [[Great Blue Heron]] found in [[Florida]]. |
| − | + | The Great White Egret is a large bird, only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or [[Grey Heron]]s. It has all white plumage. Apart from size, it can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet. It also has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and [[bittern]]s, and distinguishes them from [[stork]]s, [[crane (bird)|crane]]s and [[spoonbill]]s, which extend their necks. | |
It feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, spearing fish, frogs or insects with its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It is a conspicuous species, usually easily seen. | It feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, spearing fish, frogs or insects with its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It is a conspicuous species, usually easily seen. | ||
| − | The Great | + | The Great Egret is partially [[bird migration|migratory]], with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with cold winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest. The call at breeding colonies is a loud croaking "krrrk ". |
| − | + | Although generally a very successful species with an massive and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in [[New Zealand]], where it is known as '''Kotuku''' [http://www.nzbirds.com/Kotuku.html], [http://www.wellingtonzoo.com/animals/animals/natives/kotuku.html]. In [[North America]], large numbers of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the [[19th century]] so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern [[Canada]]. However, in some parts of the southern [[United States]], its numbers have declined due to habitat loss. This bird has been chosen as the symbol of the [[National Audubon Society]], which was formed in part to prevent birds from being killed for their feathers. | |
| + | They are Protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974. | ||
| − | + | ==Taxonomy== | |
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Various authors also identify this species as ''Egretta alba'' and ''Casmoderius alba''. However, this species closely resembles the large ''Ardea'' herons such as [[Grey Heron]] and [[Great Blue Heron]] in everything but colour, whereas it shows fewer similarities to the smaller white egrets. | Various authors also identify this species as ''Egretta alba'' and ''Casmoderius alba''. However, this species closely resembles the large ''Ardea'' herons such as [[Grey Heron]] and [[Great Blue Heron]] in everything but colour, whereas it shows fewer similarities to the smaller white egrets. | ||
There are four subspecies in various parts of the world, of which the largest is ''A. a. modesta''. | There are four subspecies in various parts of the world, of which the largest is ''A. a. modesta''. | ||
| − | + | ===Subspecies=== | |
** ''A. a. modesta'' - Asia and [[Australasia]]. | ** ''A. a. modesta'' - Asia and [[Australasia]]. | ||
** ''A. a. alba'' - [[Europe]] | ** ''A. a. alba'' - [[Europe]] | ||
** ''A. a. egretta'' - [[North America]] | ** ''A. a. egretta'' - [[North America]] | ||
| − | ** ''A. a. melanorhynchos'' - [[Africa]]< | + | ** ''A. a. melanorhynchos'' - [[Africa]] |
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
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| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | image:Great-Egret.jpg|Great Egrets | ||
| + | Image:Lightmatter egret.jpg|Great Egret | ||
| + | Image:Egretta_alba_1_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret | ||
| + | Image:Egretta_alba_2_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret | ||
| + | Image:Ardea-alba-001.jpg|Great Egret | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
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| + | {{commons|Great Egret}} | ||
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| − | + | [[Category:Ciconiiformes]] | |
| − | [[ | + | [[Category:New Zealand birds]] |
| − | + | [[Category:Birds of Australia]] | |
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| − | [[ | ||
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| + | [[de:Silberreiher]] | ||
[[nl:Grote zilverreiger]] | [[nl:Grote zilverreiger]] | ||
| + | [[pl:Czapla biała]] | ||
| + | [[zh:%E5%A4%A7%E7%99%BD%E9%B9%AD]] | ||
Revision as of 06:06, 17 July 2005
Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry Template:Taxobox species entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section binomial Template:Taxobox end
The Great Egret (Ardea alba), also known as the Great White Egret, White Heron, or Common Egret, is a wading egret, found in most of the tropical and warmer temperate parts of the world, although it is very local in southern Europe and Asia. It should not be confused with the Great White Heron, which is a white morph of the Great Blue Heron found in Florida.
The Great White Egret is a large bird, only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or Grey Herons. It has all white plumage. Apart from size, it can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet. It also has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.
It feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, spearing fish, frogs or insects with its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It is a conspicuous species, usually easily seen.
The Great Egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with cold winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest. The call at breeding colonies is a loud croaking "krrrk ".
Although generally a very successful species with an massive and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in New Zealand, where it is known as Kotuku [1], [2]. In North America, large numbers of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern Canada. However, in some parts of the southern United States, its numbers have declined due to habitat loss. This bird has been chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was formed in part to prevent birds from being killed for their feathers. They are Protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.
Taxonomy
Various authors also identify this species as Egretta alba and Casmoderius alba. However, this species closely resembles the large Ardea herons such as Grey Heron and Great Blue Heron in everything but colour, whereas it shows fewer similarities to the smaller white egrets.
There are four subspecies in various parts of the world, of which the largest is A. a. modesta.
Subspecies
- A. a. modesta - Asia and Australasia.
- A. a. alba - Europe
- A. a. egretta - North America
- A. a. melanorhynchos - Africa
- Great-Egret.jpg
Great Egrets
Great Egret
Great Egret
Great Egret
Great Egret
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de:Silberreiher nl:Grote zilverreiger pl:Czapla biała zh:大白鹭
