Larger than the more southerly Snowy Egret, and smaller than the strictly southern coastal Great White Heron, the Common Egret (Casmerodius albus) can be told from either of these other white herons by its glossy-black feet and legs. We were able to get close enough to this marvelous bird to observe the color of its legs as it slowly stalked along, neck arched and eyes trained on the water below. Then, plooop! that long neck darted forward, and the egret enjoyed its breakfast!
Update: Sorry, but I was mistaken in naming this bird the Common Egret. I was using my old 1966 copy of Birds of North America as my information source, but in the years since this guide was published, this bird has come to be re-named the Great Egret (Ardea alba). Thanks, Jeff, for giving us the correct information in your comment to this post.
5 comments:
Awesome capture! Thank for the identification lesson too. One more thing added to my watch list.
Jackie, your egret although informally called a common egret is more formally called a great egret.
great egret (Ardea alba)
Nice photos, Jeff
It is pretty hard to keep up with names these days as they change so often. I have been really confused by the Egret names and IDs. We saw what was probably a snowy at Rotterdam Mall of all places last year...but I am still confused. Lol By any name, great bird!
The birds must be confused by all the name changes in recent years. Fortunately, they needn't be concerned by the "professional's" naming choices -- they just go on feeding and breeding.
Interesting, Jackie! - at least to me! - just the fact that you see these at all in your neck of the woods! My guess is that this individual is not "migrating south", but that it's coming as far north as your location, in this warmest time of year (on average). Take a look at the range maps from several sources, and I think you may agree.
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