PORT PHILLIP BAY


Great Egret 

Ardea alba

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Ciconiiformes
Family:
Ardeidae
Genus:
Ardea
Species:
alba

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

Birds Herons and egrets

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

article author Longmore, N. W.

Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author O'Brien, R.

Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

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 27 Jul 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7937

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