Great Egret
Where to Look
- Lagoons and wetlands on larger islands
- Rabida
- Santa Cruz Highlands
- Bachas Beach
Similar Galapagos Species
Cattle Egret
Identification
The only large white egret in the Galapagos.
Description
A large, overall white egret with an elongated S-shaped neck, long black legs and feet and a spear-like, yellow bill. Breeding birds have a green patch of bare skin running from the base of their bill to just behint their eye. In non-breeding plumage, this patch is pale yellow. Sexes alike. Juveniles similar to non-breeding adults, but with a black tip to their bills.
Galapagos Distribution
Found throughout the main archipelago on shorelines, in mangroves and near inland water bodies.
Global Distribution
An extremely wide spread species occuring throughout all of South America except the Andes, Central and North America south of Canada, the Carribean, sub-Saharan Africa, Australasia, most of Asia south of Russia and in numerous locations around the Mediteranian and in Europe.
Status in the Galapagos
Uncommon resident.