Moonring Nature Photography :: Great Egret - Species Ardea alba

A large white heron, the Great Egret is found across much of the world, from southern Canada southward to Argentina, and in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It's the largest egret in the Old World, and thus has garnered the name Great White Egret. But in the Americas, the white form of the Great Blue Heron is larger and warrants that name. In the United States, the Great Egret used to be called the American Egret but that was hardly appropriate, since the species range extends beyond America and indeed farther than other herons.

Breeds in isolated locations in southern Canada and the northern United States. Common along coasts from Washington and Maine southward and the southern Mississippi River drainage. Wanders in summer to areas outside breeding range. Also found throughout the American tropics southward to southern Argentina, and in southern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Winters from Oregon and New Jersey southward in breeding range. Also along rivers in southwestern United States.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

General Information

Habitat and Range




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	Great Egret (Ardea alba) General Information A large white heron, the Great Egret is found across much of the world, from southern Canada southward to Argentina, and in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It's the largest egret in the Old World, and thus has garnered the name Great White Egret. But in the Americas, the white form of the Great Blue Heron is larger and warrants that name. In the United States, the Great Egret used to be called the American Egret but that was hardly appropriate, since the species range extends beyond America and indeed farther than other herons. Habitat and Range Breeds in isolated locations in southern Canada and the northern United States. Common along coasts from Washington and Maine southward and the southern Mississippi River drainage. Wanders in summer to areas outside breeding range. Also found throughout the American tropics southward to southern Argentina, and in southern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Winters from Oregon and New Jersey southward in breeding range. Also along rivers in southwestern United States.