Great Egret (Ardea alba)
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a majestic, large heron known for its striking all-white plumage, long yellow bill, and contrasting black legs and feet. This elegant bird is a migratory species in regions like Montreal, where it travels south in late autumn and returns in April, primarily feeding on fish, frogs, and small mammals.
| 🇫🇷 | Grande Aigrette |
| 🇩🇪 | Silberreiher |
| 🇲🇽 | Garceta grande |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
How to Identify
The Great Egret is easily recognizable by its striking all-white plumage. This elegant bird also features a long yellow bill and contrasting black legs and feet, which are key identifiers of the species.
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Characteristics
| Length | 80-104cm |
| Weight | 0.7-1.5kg |
| Wingspan | 131-170cm |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 eggs |
| Incubation | 23-27 days |
| Fledging | 2-3 weeks |
| Sexual Maturity | 2 years |
Resources
Videos
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.
Where and When to Spot
The Great Egret can be observed from May to October along rivers, lakes, and ponds. It is less common than the Great Blue Heron, with which it shares its feeding habitats.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Angrignon | - | x | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | - | x | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.