Hi Everybody!!
Tonight we will look at another white bird. Unlike last night's white bird, this one is suppose to be white! I found you a Great Egret who was hanging out in a tree watching a lake. Once hundreds of these birds came to the private lake where I am, but not too many in the last 3 years. I found this guy at Scott Lake. I tried to get several angles so you can see his skinny neck! These birds are very graceful in flight and on top of trees. I have shared Wikipedia info below about this fine waterbird. You see how easy it is to learn something new everyday! Enjoy!
What is he looking at?
The Lake:
link to G+ Album Gallery:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117645114459863049265/albums/6015358976870724625
Do You see the big white bird?
I put an "O" around him!
Now You see him!
This is even closer. He is standing in the treetop.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_egret
Great egret
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Great egret | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult in nonbreeding plumage | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Pelecaniformes |
| Family: | Ardeidae |
| Genus: | Ardea |
| Species: | A. alba |
| Binomial name | |
| Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 | |
 | |
| Range of A. alba Breeding range Year-round range Wintering range | |
Description[edit]
The great egret is a large heron with all-white plumage. Standing up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, this species can measure 80 to 104 cm (31 to 41 in) in length and have awingspan of 131 to 170 cm (52 to 67 in).[5][6] Body mass can range from 700 to 1,500 g (1.5 to 3.3 lb), with an average of around 1,000 g (2.2 lb).[7] It is thus only slightly smaller than the great blue or grey heron (A. cinerea). Apart from size, the great egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults. Differentiated from the intermediate egret (Mesophoyx intermedius) by the gape, which extends well beyond the back of the eye in case of the great egret, but ends just behind the eye in case of the Intermediate Egret.
It has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons andbitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, ibises, and spoonbills, which extend their necks in flight.
The great egret is not normally a vocal bird; at breeding colonies, however, it often gives a loud croaking cuk cuk cuk.
Ecology and status[edit]
The great egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with colder winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest.
The great egret is generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range. In North America, large numbers of great egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern Canada. However, in some parts of the southern United States, its numbers have declined due to habitat loss. Nevertheless, it adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas. In 1953, the great egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was formed in part to prevent the killing of birds for their feathers.[8][9]
The great egret is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
On 22 May 2012, it was announced a pair of great egrets were nesting in the UK for the first time at the Shapwick Heathnature reserve in Somerset.[10] The species is a rare visitor to the UK and Ben Aviss of the BBC stated that the news could mean the UK's first Great Egret colony is established.[10][11] The following week, Kevin Anderson of Natural England confirmed a Great Egret chick had hatched, making it a new breeding bird record for the UK.[12] Anderson commented "We've definitely seen one chick stretching a wing just before the adult arrived and also after it left and we continue to monitor for more. The eggs of the Great Egret can hatch over a period of a few days so it may be that if there are other young on the nest they will be less developed and won't be visible yet."[12]
Diet[edit]
The great egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, feeding mainly on fish,frogs, small mammals, and occasionally small reptiles and insects, spearing them with its long, sharp bill most of the time by standing still and allowing the prey to come within its striking distance of its bill which it uses as a spear. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.
...this is brendasue signing off from Rainbow Creek. See You next time!
***Personal Note to my friends who have shared their pics and comments: Thank You. I am way backed up on the mail, but I wanted You to know I have not forgot you and I treasure all you share with me. I hope to catch up after this next weekend. I am preparing for a party with the Grandkids! I love You All-b
O+O
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