Egrets
James Storm
Wetland Wildlife Management
HERONS, IBIS & NEW
WORLD VULTURES-Order:
Ciconiiformes
Herons-Family: Ardeidae
Genera:
Ardea
Egretta
Bubulcus
Egret Evolution
• The crudeness of the nest, the elliptical
form of the egg, and other signs suggest
to some scientists that these birds are one
of the lower forms on the scale of bird life,
not far removed from the reptiles, in terms
of eons of time.
Great egret Ardea alba
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Long, thick yellow bill*
Black legs and feet*
Entirely white plumage
It is the second-largest
member of the heron
family in America*
• Second only to the Great
Blue Heron
Great Egret ecology
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Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Clutch Size: 3-5
Number of Broods: 1
Diet:
Mostly:
Aquatic Invertebrates
Fish
Lesser Quantities of:
Reptiles or Amphibians
Small Mammals
Great Egret Distrabution
Sometimes
sighted
in the western
part of the
state.
Snowy egret Egretta thula
• Thin black bill and
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yellow facial skin*
Black legs with yellow
feet*
Entirely white
plumage
Snowy Egret Ecology
• Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
• Their nests are typically 5-10 feet above the ground and are
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made of twigs and sticks
Clutch Size: 3-5
Number of Broods: 1
Diet:
Mostly:
Aquatic Invertebrates
Lesser Quantities of:
Reptiles or Amphibians
Fish
Small Mammals
Snowy Egret Distribution
Also sometimes
Sighted in the
Western part of
The state
History of the Snowy Egret
• This species was among the most sought
after of all herons and egrets during the
days of the “plume trade”.
• Its recurved back plumes were valued at
$32 per ounce.
• Twice the contemporary price of gold
• The slaughter pushed the bird near the
point of extinction
Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis
• Fairly small*
• Short, thick pointed bill
• Tucks neck, rarely
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extending it
Often seen feeding in
pastures*
or other open habitats
away from water
Cattle Egret Ecology
• Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
• Clutch Size: 2-6
• Number of Broods: 1
• Diet:
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Mostly:
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Insects
Cattle Egret Distribution
This species
can be found
throughout most
of Kentucky.
History of the Cattle Egret
• Often called the Cow Crane, Cow Heron, Cow
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Bird, Buffed-backed heron, Rhinoceros Egret,
Elephant bird, Hippopotamous Egret and Tick
Bird.
Although called Tick Bird, it doesn’t eat ticks.
They eat insects that are disturbed by the
grazing behaviors of the birds and there
associated grazing mammals.
Reddish egret Egretta rufescens
• Bill fairly long and pointed
• Pink-based bill with black
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tip*
Dark legs and feet
neck with shaggy
plumes*
Adult-dark morph:
Blue-gray body
Adult-white morph:
White body
Reddish Egret Ecology
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Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Clutch Size: 3-4
Number of Broods: 1?
Diet:
Mostly:
Fish
Aquatic Invertebrates
Often feeds by flapping wings and running
through shallow water.
Reddish Egret Distribution
Unlike the other
Egrets Found in
North America,
it only inhabits
the Southern tip
of Florida
Egret Management
• All North American species breed in open
water wetlands
• They use marshes and lowland forests in
the southeastern states and along the
Mississippi River.
• Feeding areas and many breeding sites
are directly affected by humans.
Egret Management
• The cattle egret has expanded its range due to
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the expansion of pasturelands for cattle
Great egrets and snowy egrets were hit hard
during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s due to
plume harvests for women’s hats.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1916 finally
gave the birds protection.
Egret Management Practices
• In New Jersey, colony-site restoration has began
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using Great egret models and recorded colony
sounds, in an attempt to lure egrets.
Protection of important wintering areas in the
tropics is also crucial.
These area include Cuba, the Great Antilles, the
Bahamas, and the Gulf and Pacific coasts of
Central America.
Management Effectiveness
• Since the passage of the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act all Species of Egret have made
a dramatic climb in total population.
• This proves they will respond positively to
management practices.