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

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{{Taxobox begin | color = pink | name = Great White Egret}}<br>{{StatusSeeText}}
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{{Bird id
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{{Taxobox image | image = [[image:GreatEgretWinter.jpg]] | caption = }}
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| name = Great Egret
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{{Taxobox begin placement | color = pink}}
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| latin_name = Ardea alba
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{{Taxobox regnum entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}}
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| level = 4
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{{Taxobox phylum entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}}
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| image_1 = Egretta alba 1 (Lukasz Lukasik).jpg
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{{Taxobox classis entry | taxon = [[Aves]]}}
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| caption_1 = Great Egret
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{{Taxobox ordo entry | taxon = [[Ciconiiformes]]}}
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| description = 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 '''Kōtuku''' 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.
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{{Taxobox familia entry | taxon = [[Ardeidae]]}}
 
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{{Taxobox genus entry | taxon = ''[[Ardea (genus)|Ardea]]''}}
 
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{{Taxobox species entry | taxon = '''''A. alba'''''}}
 
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{{Taxobox end placement}}
 
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{{Taxobox section binomial | color = pink | binomial_name = Ardea alba | author = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] | date = 1758}}
 
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{{Taxobox end}}
 
  
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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 should not be confused with the  Great White Heron, which is a white morph of the [[Great Blue Heron]] found in [[Florida]].
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The Great Egret is a large bird with all white plumage, as much as {{units|101 cm|40 in}} long and weighing up to {{units|950 grams|2 lbs}}. 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.
  
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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.
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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.
  
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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.
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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".
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}}<noinclude>[[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Transcluded Modules|{{FULLCHAPTERNAME}}]]</noinclude>
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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".
 
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Although generally a very successful species with a large 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. 
 
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They are Protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974. 
 
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==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.
 
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There are four subspecies in various parts of the world, of which the largest is ''A. a. modesta''.
 
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===Subspecies===
 
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** ''A. a. modesta'' - Asia and [[Australasia]].
 
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** ''A. a. alba''  - [[Europe]]
 
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** ''A. a. egretta'' - [[North America]]
 
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** ''A. a. melanorhynchos'' - [[Africa]]
 
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<gallery>
 
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image:Great-Egret.jpg|Great Egrets
 
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Image:Lightmatter egret.jpg|Great Egret
 
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Image:Egretta_alba_1_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret
 
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Image:Egretta_alba_2_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg|Great Egret
 
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Image:Ardea-alba-001.jpg|Great Egret
 
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Image:Ardea alba1.jpg
 
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Image:Ardea alba2.jpg
 
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Image:Ardea alba3.jpg
 
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</gallery>
 
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==References ==
 
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''Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic''
 
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==External links==
 
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*[http://www.ebepe.com/html/great_egret.html The Great White Egret] Image documentation
 
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*[http://www.naturfoto.cz/great-white-egret-photo-491.html The Great White Egret - Photos]
 
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{{commons|Great Egret}}
 
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[[Category:Ardea]]
 
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[[Category:New Zealand birds]]
 
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[[Category:Birds of Australia]]
 
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[[bg:Голяма бяла чапла]]
 
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[[cs:Volavka bílá]]
 
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[[de:Silberreiher]]
 
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[[fr:Grande aigrette]]
 
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[[ja:ダイサギ]]
 
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[[nl:Grote zilverreiger]]
 
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[[pl:Czapla biała]]
 
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[[zh:大白鹭]]
 

Latest revision as of 19:09, 5 July 2012

Ardea alba (Great Egret)
Great Egret
Description
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 Kōtuku 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 cm40 in long and weighing up to 950 grams2 lbs. 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.

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".

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