Great Egret

Ardea alba · Species of bird
Order
Pelecaniformes
Codes
greegr, GREG, WHHE, GWEG

About the Great Egret

The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret, great white egret, or great white heron, is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Recently, it has also been spreading to more northern areas of Europe. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, it builds tree nests in colonies close to water.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPelecaniformes
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae)
SpeciesArdea alba
Species Codesgreegr, GREG, WHHE, GWEG

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Great Egret belong to?

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) belongs to the Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns family (Ardeidae), in the order Pelecaniformes.

How can I identify the Great Egret?

The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret, great white egret, or great white heron, is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Recently, it has also been spreading to more northern areas of Europe. Distri...

Where can I report a Great Egret sighting?

You can log sightings of Great Egret on eBird (ebird.org) using species code greegr, or on iNaturalist.