Although found mainly in marshes and ponds of
the Imperial Valley, look for these large yellow-billed birds surrounded
by the much smaller Cattle Egrets and Snowy
Egrets in local farm fields being irrigated with water.
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During the breeding season, this large, white
wading bird has long, lacy plumes down its back. These feathers were much
in demand as decorations for ladies' hats at the turn of the century -
which nearly caused their extinction.
Although found mainly in marshes and ponds of
the Imperial Valley, look for these large yellow-billed birds surrounded
by the much smaller Cattle Egrets and Snowy
Egrets in local farm fields being irrigated with water.
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If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.htmlThey present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the Great Egret
OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:
Great Egret Fact Sheet - Displayed by the Connecticutt Department of Environmental Protection Web site for "Wildlife in Connecticutt: Endangered and Threatened Species Series".
This site is maintained by:
Eldon R. Caldwell
Imperial Valley College
Email: eldonc@imperial.cc.ca.us