Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Ardea alba"
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| − | {{Taxobox | + | {{Taxobox |
| − | + | | color = pink | |
| − | + | | name = Great White Egret | |
| − | + | | status = {{StatusSeeText}} | |
| − | + | | image = GreatEgretWinter.jpg | |
| − | + | | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | |
| − | + | | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | |
| − | + | | classis = [[Aves]] | |
| − | + | | ordo = [[Ciconiiformes]] | |
| − | + | | familia = [[Ardeidae]] | |
| − | + | | genus = ''[[Ardea (genus)|Ardea]]'' | |
| − | + | | species = '''''A. alba''''' | |
| − | + | | binomial = ''Ardea alba'' | |
| + | | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758 | ||
| + | }} | ||
| − | 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 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 is called '''Kotuku''' in [New Zealand]. 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 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. | The Great 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. | ||
| − | + | ==Habits== | |
| + | The Great Egret 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 [[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". | 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 a large and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in | + | ==Conservation status== |
| + | Although generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in New Zealand [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. | They are Protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974. | ||
| Line 47: | Line 51: | ||
==References == | ==References == | ||
| − | ''Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic'' | + | |
| + | *''Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic'' | ||
| + | *{{ITIS|ID=554135|taxon=Ardea alba|year=2006|date=9 February}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.ebepe.com/html/great_egret.html The Great White Egret] Image documentation | *[http://www.ebepe.com/html/great_egret.html The Great White Egret] Image documentation | ||
| − | |||
{{commons|Great Egret}} | {{commons|Great Egret}} | ||
| Line 61: | Line 66: | ||
[[cs:Volavka bílá]] | [[cs:Volavka bílá]] | ||
[[de:Silberreiher]] | [[de:Silberreiher]] | ||
| + | [[eo:Egretardeo]] | ||
[[fr:Grande aigrette]] | [[fr:Grande aigrette]] | ||
| + | [[it:Ardea alba]] | ||
| + | [[lt:Didysis baltasis garnys]] | ||
| + | [[hu:Nagy kócsag]] | ||
| + | [[nl:Grote zilverreiger]] | ||
[[ja:ダイサギ]] | [[ja:ダイサギ]] | ||
| − | |||
[[pl:Czapla biała]] | [[pl:Czapla biała]] | ||
[[zh:大白鹭]] | [[zh:大白鹭]] | ||
Revision as of 15:59, 21 February 2006
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 is called Kotuku in [New Zealand]. 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 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.
Habits
The Great Egret 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".
Conservation status
Although generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in New Zealand [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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References
- Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic
- Template:ITIS
External links
- The Great White Egret Image documentation
bg:Голяма бяла чапла cs:Volavka bílá de:Silberreiher eo:Egretardeo fr:Grande aigrette it:Ardea alba lt:Didysis baltasis garnys hu:Nagy kócsag nl:Grote zilverreiger ja:ダイサギ pl:Czapla biała zh:大白鹭
