Egret

The egret (Ardeidae) is a long-legged, long-necked, wading bird inhabiting every continent. It lives in freshwater and saltwater habitats, such as marshes and wetlands, where it spends its day wading in shallow water, catching fish and other creatures. Most species form lifelong pair bonds with their mates and nest and roost in mixed species groups. Find out everything there is to know about this heron family, including where they live, what they eat, and how they behave.

5 Amazing Egret Facts

• Egrets avoid the coldest regions, high mountains, and deserts.
• They nest in tall trees over water with 10 to 30 other pairs.
• Most species are relatively vocal, making harsh croaking sounds and squeals.
• They feed in flocks, waiting in shallow water for fish to swim by before thrusting their beaks to catch their prey.
• Most animals don’t mess with these large birds; they find safety in numbers by staying in large communities. 

Where to Find the Egret

Egrets live on every continent but avoid the coldest regions, arid deserts, and extremely high mountains. They live in areas with freshwater and saltwater, including ponds, streams, lakes, marshes, wetlands, shores, mud flats, and flooded meadows. Look for these birds feeding in flocks in shallow water, nesting in tall trees, or flying overhead with their long wings.

Egret Nest

Egrets nest in mixed colonies high off the ground on the tops of shrubs and trees. They typically find spots near water, usually in trees hanging over water. The nest itself is loosely formed and made with sticks and twigs.

Scientific Name

The egret (Ardeidae) is a family of herons from the Pelecaniformes order, encompassing webbed-foot waterbirds. Egret is French for “silver heron” and “brush,” referring to the cascading feathers down its back. 

There are 12 recognized species of egret:

• Great egret or great white egret, Ardea alba
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• Intermediate egret, Mesophoyx intermedia
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula
• Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens
• Slaty egret, Egretta vinaceigula
• Black egret, Egretta ardesiaca
• Chinese egret, Egretta eulophotes
• Eastern reef egret or Pacific reef heron, Egretta sacra
• Western reef egret or Western reef heron, Egretta gularis

Size, Appearance, & Behavior

Egrets are long, slender, wading birds, measuring two to four feet long and weighing 7.8 ounces to 3.3 pounds, with a two to five-foot wingspan. These herons have long legs and necks; most have white or buff plumage with yellow, orange, or black bills. Egrets are somewhat social, forming long-term pair bonds and joining colonies (rookeries) during the breeding season. They are relatively vocal, making harsh, croaking noises and nasal squeals, especially when breeding. The egret is a slow yet strong flier with powerful wingbeats, reaching speeds up to 32 mph.

Migration Pattern and Timing

Egrets are short to long-distance migrants. These birds fly in small flocks during the day and have varying migratory patterns. Some stay within a local area, while others travel many miles to reach warmer weather. Those in southern regions may not migrate at all.

Diet

Egrets are carnivores who mainly feed in flocks.

What Does the Egret Eat?

Their favorite food is fish, but they also eat crustaceans, amphibians, small mammals, reptiles, birds, and aquatic insects. They feed in flocks of the same species or in the company of other herons, ibises, and cormorants. They stand or slowly walk through shallow water, waiting for fish and other creatures to come near, then swiftly thrust their bill into the water.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

The IUCN lists nine out of twelve egret species as LC or “least concern.” Due to their extensive range and large, stable, or increasing populations, the majority of these species do not meet the thresholds for “threatened” status. The reddish egret (Egretta rufescens) is listed NT or “near threatened,” and the Chinese and slaty egret (Egretta vinaceigula) are VU or “vulnerable.” At-risk species have many threats, including human exploitation, habitat loss, climate change, and pollution.

What Eats the Egret?

Adult egrets have very few, if any, predators. But their young are vulnerable to jays, vultures, crows, owls, hawks, raccoons, and snakes. Most creatures don’t mess with these large birds, but they also find safety in numbers. By roosting in large communities in tall trees, they can warn each other of intruders. Males and females both aggressively defend their nests, as well.

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Most egrets are seasonally monogamous, breeding with one mate per year. They can begin reproducing around two to three years old, and egg-laying starts in late February to mid-April. Females lay one to six eggs and incubate them for 22 to 28 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, and their young fledge the nest around three to four weeks after hatching, becoming independent at six to seven weeks. Their average lifespan is between five and ten years, but can exceed more than 20.

Population

The global egret population is unknown. Out of 12 species, four have stable populations. Another four have increasing populations, and four have decreasing populations. Those with a downward trend include the intermediate egret, the reddish egret, the slaty egret, and the Chinese egret. The most common reasons for the decrease in numbers are climate change and human disturbance.