Great Egret
Great Egret
Adult
- Large white egret
- Long, black legs
- Heavy, pointed, yellow-orange bill
- © Jim Mcree, ME, Bangor, August 2010
Great Egret
Adult
- Large, all-white egret
- Long, black legs
- Long, dagger-like, yellow bill
- © Lois Manowitz, AZ, Fort Lowell Park, Tucson, January 2010
Great Egret
Breeding adult
- Breeding adults show thin, wispy nuptial plumes on body
- Large, all-white egret
- Long, pointed yellow-orange bill
- © Lorcan Keating, CA, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, January 2009
Great Egret
Breeding adult
- Large, white egret
- Black legs
- Wispy "nuptial plumes" emerge from body in breeding season
- © Mike Baird, CA, Morro Bay, April 2009
Great Egret
Adult
- Large, white egret
- Long, curved neck
- Long, black legs
- Sharp, pointed yellow bill
- © Redstar, OR, Ridgefield NWR, August 2010
Great Egret
Adult
- Large white egret
- Distinctive in flight with neck tucked in and long, black legs trailing behind
- Long, dagger-like yellow bill
- © Syd Phillips, TN, Old Hickory Lake, Wilson County, September 2011
Similar Species
White morph adult
- "White morph" of Great Blue Heron found only in south Florida
- Larger and stockier than Great Egret
- Paler, yellow-gray legs
- Heavier, duskier bill
- © Jim Gilbert, Marathon, FL, April 2007
Adult
- Smaller and more slender than Great Egret
- Black legs contrast with distinctive, yellow feet
- Yellow patch at base of black bill
- © Ned Harris, Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA, September 2011
Adult Breeding
- Smaller, shorter, and more compact than Great Egret
- Short, yellow bill
- Shows some buffy coloration in breeding season
- Pale yellow legs
- © Robinsegg, Farmington Bay, UT, May 2008
Immature
- Smaller and more slender than Great Egret
- Grayish bill with black tip
- Shorter, pale gray legs
- © Sage, Fort Meyers, FL, March 2011
White morph adult
- Smaller and more slender than Great Egret
- Pink bill with black tip
- Stringy, shaggy plumes on neck and breast
- © Roy Brown, Dauphin Island, AL, April 2010