The Great Egret is a tall, all-white wading bird with a yellow bill and black legs, found on every continent except Antarctica. Its breeding plumes — lacy back feathers called aigrettes — were so fashionable in the late 19th century that the species was nearly hunted to extinction; outrage over the slaughter directly launched the conservation movement that created the Audubon Society. It is the symbol of the National Audubon Society.
Best time to see a Great Egret
The best time to see a Great Egret is March–September, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 212,941 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Great Egret? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Great Egret sightings near you
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