General Description
Body white, legs black, and bill yellow (becomes black when breeding). Neck longer than the body. Body up to 1 m long.
Biology
Great Egrets make a harsh croak sound, like other egrets, when calling. They extend their legs straight behind the body when flying.
Habitat
Freshwater wetlands and swamps.
Coastal shores
Distribution guide
Australia.
Species Group
Max Size
1 m
Diet
Carnivore
Commercial Species
Yes
Global Dispersal
Native to Australia
Conservation Status
- DSE Advisory List : Vulnerable
- EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
- IUCN Red List : Not listed
Author
Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Author
Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.
Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Great Egret, Ardea alba, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7937
