Egret

An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season. Many egrets are members of the genera Egretta or Ardea which contain other species regarded as herons rather than egrets. The distinction between a heron and an egret is rather vague and depends more on appearance than biology.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Several of the egrets have been moved around from one genus to another in recent years: the Great Egret, for example, was traditionally classified as a member of Egretta, moved to Ardea, and then moved back again. Common names are often a more reliable guide to egret identification.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the 19th and early part of the 20th century, most of the world's egret species were brought to the brink of extinction by relentless hunting. Hat makers in Europe and the United States demanded massive numbers of egret plumes and breeding birds were massacred in locations all around the world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Eastern Reef Egret of the Pacific Ocean shores (illustrated above right) is unusual in that it has two distinct phases: Eastern Reef Egrets are either entirely charcoal-grey or entirely white.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Heron: The herons are wading birds in the Ardeidae family. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called egrets or bitterns instead of herons....

Genera: REDIRECT Genus...

19th: REDIRECT 19 (number)...

Egret related Images and Photos (experimental)

Egret	Morning Egret	Tropical Egret I	Tropical Egret I
Egret and Heron	Egret and Heron	Great Egret on Gibb River	Great White Egret
Great Egret in Breeding Plumage Adelaide Australia	Great Egret Exhibiting Sky Pointing on Nest St. Augustine Florida USA	Great Egret Reflected in Foggy Cypress Swamp Lake Martin Louisiana USA	Snowy Heron or White Egret