Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Ardea alba"

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| ordo = [[Ciconiiformes]]
 
| ordo = [[Ciconiiformes]]
 
| familia = [[Ardeidae]]
 
| familia = [[Ardeidae]]
−
| genus = ''[[Ardea (genus)|Ardea]]''
+
| genus = ''[[Casmerodius (genus)|albus]]''
−
| species = '''''A. alba'''''
+
| species = '''''C. albus'''''
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| binomial = ''Ardea alba''
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| binomial = ''Casmerodius albus''
 
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
 
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
 
}}
 
}}
  
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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''' (''Casmerodius albus''), 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 with all white plumage, as much as 101 cm long and weighing up to 950 g. It is only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or [[Grey Heron]]s. Apart from size, the Great Egret 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 with all white plumage, as much as 101 cm long and weighing up to 950 g. It is only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or [[Grey Heron]]s. Apart from size, the Great Egret 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.
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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 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 "cuk cuk cuk".
  
 
==Conservation status==
 
==Conservation status==
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==Taxonomy==
 
==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.
+
Various authors also identify this species as ''Egretta alba'' and ''Casmoderius albus''. 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''.
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Image:Egretta_alba_1_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret
 
Image:Egretta_alba_1_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret
 
Image:Egretta_alba_2_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret
 
Image:Egretta_alba_2_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret
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Image:Ardea-alba-001.jpg|Great Egret
 
 
Image:Ardea alba1.jpg
 
Image:Ardea alba1.jpg
 
Image:Ardea alba2.jpg
 
Image:Ardea alba2.jpg
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*''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}}
 
*{{ITIS|ID=554135|taxon=Ardea alba|year=2006|date=9 February}}
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 +
*''Peterson, Roder T. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Birds. 4th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 102.''
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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{{commons|Great Egret}}
 
{{commons|Great Egret}}
  
−
[[Category:Ardea]]
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[[Category:Casmerodius]]
 
[[Category:Wading birds|Egret, Great]]
 
[[Category:Wading birds|Egret, Great]]
 
[[Category:Avifauna of Florida|Egret, Great]]
 
[[Category:Avifauna of Florida|Egret, Great]]
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[[lt:Didysis baltasis garnys]]
 
[[lt:Didysis baltasis garnys]]
 
[[hu:Nagy kócsag]]
 
[[hu:Nagy kócsag]]
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[[ms:Burung Bangau Besar]]
 
[[nl:Grote zilverreiger]]
 
[[nl:Grote zilverreiger]]
 
[[ja:ダイサギ]]
 
[[ja:ダイサギ]]

Revision as of 02:44, 16 October 2006

Template:Taxobox

The Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), 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 with all white plumage, as much as 101 cm long and weighing up to 950 g. It is only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or Grey Herons. Apart from size, the Great Egret 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 "cuk cuk cuk".

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.

The Great Egret is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

Taxonomy

Various authors also identify this species as Egretta alba and Casmoderius albus. 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

  • Great-Egret.jpg

    Great Egrets

  • Great Egret

  • Great Egret

  • Great Egret

  • Ardea alba1.jpg
  • Ardea alba2.jpg
  • Ardea alba3.jpg
  • DSC00379.JPG

    Great Egret on railing

References

  • Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  • Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic
  • Template:ITIS
  • Peterson, Roder T. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Birds. 4th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 102.

External links


Template:Commons

af:Grootwitreier bg:Голяма бяла чапла cs:Volavka bílá de:Silberreiher fr:Grande aigrette it:Casmerodius albus lt:Didysis baltasis garnys hu:Nagy kócsag ms:Burung Bangau Besar nl:Grote zilverreiger ja:ダイサギ no:Egretthegre pl:Czapla biała fi:Jalohaikara sv:Ägretthäger zh:大白鹭

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