Great Egret
Photo: Chuck Homler (FocusOnWildlife.Me) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Great Egret

Ardea alba

LCLeast Concern
Family
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae)
Order
Pelecaniformes

Overview

The great egret (Ardea alba), also known as the common egret, large egret, great white egret, or great white heron, is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Recently, it has also been spreading to more northern areas of Europe. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, it builds tree nests in colonies close to water.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Countries

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.