The Monarch of the Marsh 

Getting to Know the Great Egret
 

If you've ever spent time near a wetland, salt marsh, or even a backyard pond, you have likely seen a tall, snow-white figure standing perfectly still in the shallows. With its sleek silhouette and piercing gaze, the GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) looks less like a modern bird and more like a living piece of ancient art.  But there is much more to this elegant wader than just good looks. From a devastating brush with extinction to their specialized hunting techniques, let’s dive into the fascinating world of the Great Egret.

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​​​​The Great Egret is a snowy-white bird that can be found widespread, with four subspecies found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Southern Europe. However, this was not always the case.  In the late 19th century, this beautiful bird was hunted to the brink of extinction for its long, white mating plumes, which were used as decorations for women's hats.  

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In 1886, George Bird Grinnell, editor of Forest and Stream magazine, initiated the first Audubon Society in 1886.  He named the society after his teacher John James Audubon.  The society was short-lived, but would soon be revived in 1896 as the Massachusetts Audubon Society by Harriet Hemenway and her cousin, Minna B. Hall. They created this society with the mission to end the plumage trade and protect wild birds.

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If you look closely at a Great Egret during the spring breeding season, you will notice a stunning physical transformation.  Aside from growing the famous lacy plumes, the bare patch of skin between their eyes and bill—called the lore—turns a vibrant, neon lime-green. It’s a temporary flash of color used to signal to potential mates that they are ready to settle down.

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Egrets nest in large groups called rookeries or colonies, often sharing the trees with other herons and ibises. While they look incredibly peaceful from a distance, rookeries are actually noisy, chaotic neighborhoods filled with loud, harsh croaks and squawks.

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So the next time that you are strolling through trails around wetlands and see this tall, wading white bird, remember that this beauty was once on the brink of extinction, and stop to admire its beauty rather than wear it.