Great Egret (Ardea alba) **
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large, elegant wading bird recognized by its brilliant white plumage, long neck, and yellow bill. It is widely distributed across the globe, inhabiting wetlands, marshes, lakes, and rivers. Standing up to 1 meter tall, this bird moves gracefully through shallow waters, hunting for fish, amphibians, insects, and small reptiles. In flight, the Great Egret displays slow, powerful wing beats, with its long neck retracted in an "S" shape and legs trailing behind. During the breeding season, the bird grows delicate, flowing plumes on its back, adding to its majestic appearance. Despite once being hunted for these plumes, conservation efforts have helped populations recover, and it is now commonly seen in both wild and urban areas.
NOT EVALUATED | DATA DEFICIENT | LEAST CONCERN** | NEAR THREATENED | VULNERABLE | ENDANGERED | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED | EXTINCT IN THE WILD | EXTINCT |
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NE | DD | LC | NT | VU | EN | CR | EW | EX |