Natural History

The Great Egret

The Great Egret is a familiar site to most residents of southern Louisiana. These large, slender, snow-white birds are a conspicuous and common site along many canals and along roadways in wetland areas. Many visitors to our area are suprised to see such a large, beautiful bird in heavily travelled areas. Despite their daily presence along our canals, it's surprising how little most East Bank residents know about this wonderful bird.

The Great Egret is actually a member of the heron family. It has also been called the American or Common Egret. It belongs to the order Ciconiiformes and the family Ardeidae. Its genus and species name are Casmerodius albus. Another white egret, the Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), is also common in Jefferson Parish. Great Egrets can be distinguished from Snowy Egrets by their larger size and yellow bill (the snowy egret has a black bill).

In flight, the Great Egret is distinguished by a slow, deliberate wing beat. Landings are usually made with a spectacular, long glide, sometimes including a circle of the landing site. Considering its large size, these birds can maneuver with surprising ease through the branches of trees and shrubs. The egret's movements while on the ground are deliberate, with a halting, mechanical quality.

The food of the Great Egret consists of small fish, crawfish, mice, insects, lizards and frogs. It can stand motionless for long periods, then quickly skewer its prey with its long, sharp beak. Egrets generally stalk their prey in the shallow margins of ponds, lakes, marshes and canals.

The Great Egret is often seen alone, but it's social life includes assembly into large colonies. Roosts are made in trees and bushes in swamps and other watery habitats. The nest of these birds are large, somewhat loose assemblies of sticks lined with twigs, vines and similar materials. Three or four pale green eggs are laid and hatch in approximately 24 days. The young will generally remain in the nest until they are able to fly and are fed on food regurgitated or dropped into the nest by one of their parents. (Oberholser: 1938, 50)

Aside from socializing with its own kind, the Great Egret can also be found in the company of other members of the heron family, including the Snowy Egret. It will commonly be found roosting in the same areas with these birds.

The Great Egret does not follow any organized migration paths, but it does tend to move southward in the winter. The more severe the winter, the fewer birds are found in the northern parts of Louisiana. In very severe winters most will leave even the coastal parishes.

Like it's close relative, the Snowy Egret, this bird was hunted to the verge of extinction for its plumes, which were popular millinery ornaments. Fortunately, the sale of plumes was outlawed and both egret are now a common site for everyone to enjoy. The egret is a living reminder that our society can prevent the plundering of its posterity by self serving individuals.

For those who would like to see a colony of Great Egrets, check out the wetland area of Lafreniere Park. The colony is located on an island between two bridges.

References

Hewes, Elizabeth. Common Birds of Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
1963.

Lowery, George Jr. Louisiana Birds. Louisiana State University Press,
Kingsport, 1974.

Oberholser, Harry C. The Bird Life or Louisiana. Department of Conservation,
New Orleans, 1938.

Article by Jim Davis, East Jefferson Community Online

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