The Great White Egret, also called Ardea alba by scientists, is a large white bird that's becoming a more common sight in the UK. These tall birds have long legs and necks, which are perfect for wading in shallow water to catch their dinner. They mainly eat fish, but they're not picky - they'll happily snack on frogs, small mammals, and insects too.
These egrets can be found in many parts of the world. They love to live in wetlands, marshes, and near lakes and rivers. During breeding season, they grow special long feathers called aigrettes. These feathers used to be popular in fashion, which almost caused the birds to die out. Luckily, laws were made to protect them.
Great White Egrets are clever hunters. They stand very still in the water, waiting for prey to come close, then quickly grab it with their sharp beaks. When they fly, you can spot them by their tucked-in necks, unlike herons which fly with straight necks.
Learn more: https://binocularbase.com/bird/great-white-egret/
