White Egret Family

by AnnaJo Vahle

Title

White Egret Family

Artist

AnnaJo Vahle

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

A couple of years ago, we were out and about in St. Augustine, Florida. I was mostly interested in photographing the lighthouse for studies of a painting I was doing. It was spring time and the birds all around us were prancing and primping and courting and making families. We got lost in the energetic views of beautiful birds, instead. Looking way above us in the tree tops, I was fortunate to catch the sight of this little heron nest. The chicks were greedily feeding from their parent's beak. It almost looked violent.

The species breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands preferably at height of 10–40 feet. It begins to breed at 2–3 years of age by forming monogamous pairs each season. If the pairing carries over to the next season is not known. The male selects the nest area, starts a nest, and then attracts a female. The nest, made of sticks and lined with plant material, could be up to 3 feet across. Up to six bluish green eggs are laid at one time. Both sexes incubate the eggs and the incubation period is 23–26 days. The young are fed by regurgitation by both parents and they are able to fly within 6–7 weeks.

The great egret is a large heron with all-white plumage. Standing up to a little over 3 feet tall, this species can measure 31 to 41 inches in length and have a wingspan of 52 to 67 inches. Body mass can range from 1.5 to 3.3 lbs, with an average around 2.2 pounds. It is thus only slightly smaller than the great blue or grey heron. Apart from size, the great egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults. Differentiated from the intermediate egret by the gape, which extends well beyond the back of the eye in case of the great egret, but ends just behind the eye in case of the intermediate egret.

It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is a characteristic of herons and bitters, and distinguishes them rom storks, cranes, ibises, and spoonbills, which extend their necks in flight. The great egret walks with its neck extended and wings held close. The great egret is not normally a vocal bird; it gives a low, hoarse croak when disturbed, and at breeding colonies, it often gives a loud croaking  cuk cuk cuk and higher-pitched squawks.

Uploaded

May 14th, 2020

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags