Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Place observed
Miller Marsh, Tylee Marsh, Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles
The Great Egret is the largest and most widespread of the white herons. Present on most continents, except in very northern regions, deserts and Antarctica, great egrets are regular visitors to southern Quebec. They inhabit a variety of wetlands and in Rosemère, it is not uncommon to see them in the company of Great Blue Herons at Miller Marsh, Tylee Marsh and along the Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.
This species often chooses heronries for nesting, along with Great Blue Herons, or shrubs along the water's edge.
Description
It is more than one meter high (about 104 cm). Its plumage is pure white, its beak yellow to orange and its long black legs. When it is at rest or in flight, its long neck takes a characteristic S shape.
Diet
Small fish make up the largest part of its diet. However, it can ingest a wide variety of prey: insects, frogs, small crustaceans, small mammals, small birds, reptiles, etc.
Reproduction
The female lays 4 to 5 eggs and the incubation, taken care of by both parents, lasts 23-24 days. The parents work together to ensure the survival of the young until they are ready to make their first short flights, around 35 to 40 days.
Status and threats
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Great Egret was hunted for its bridal feathers, which were used to decorate ladies' hats. Because of this, it almost disappeared. It was then the destruction of its habitat and the use of pesticides that threatened it. Fortunately, it is now officially protected by law in a majority of countries and its population is doing better. In North America, however, its status varies from "highly threatened" to "secure" depending on the region. In Quebec, the Nature Serve organization has given it the status of vulnerable species.
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