How to identify

The Great White Egret is a large, white heron. Great White Egrets can look similar to Little Egrets, but they are much larger - the same size as the familiar Grey Heron. Other identification features to look out for include black feet (not yellow), yellow beak (in juvenile and non-breeding plumage) and a different fishing technique, more like that of the Grey Heron.

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts

  • Beak Yellow, Black
  • Conservation statusNot assessed
  • Diet Fish, insects and frogs, caught by spearing with its sharp beak.
  • Feather White
  • Leg Black
  • Habitats Marine and Intertidal, Farmland, Wetland, Grassland
  • UK wintering 35 birds

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