Spot a Great Egret (Ardea alba)

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Great Egrets are tall, long-legged wading birds with long, S-curved necks, long, dagger-like bills, and a wing-span of more than 4 feet. In flight, the long neck is tucked in and the legs extend far beyond the tip of the short tail. All feathers on Great Egrets are white. Their bills are yellowish-orange, and the legs black. Diet and behavioral habits: Seen frequently throughout the year in Balboa Park since the late 1980’s, Great Egrets wade in shallow water (both fresh and salt) to hunt fish, frogs, and other small aquatic animals, and can often be spotted near the Lily Pond and Botanical Building. They also will catch insects like grasshoppers, and small rodents like gophers. They typically stand still and watch for unsuspecting prey to pass by. Then, with startling speed, the egrets strike with a jab of their long neck and bill. Nesting habits: Both parents will build stick nests in high trees, and also feed their young.

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