| Great Egret Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Sexes similar - Large long-legged long-necked wading bird - Usually holds neck in an "S" curve in flight - Long, thick yellow bill - Black legs and feet - Entirely white plumage - Juvenile similar to basic-plumaged adult Adult alternate - Shaggy neck and back plumes Similar species Cattle Egret much smaller with a shorter, stubbier bill and pale legs. Snowy Egret is smaller and has black bill and yellow feet. Immature Little Blue Heron is smaller and has a pale bill with a black tip, and green legs. Reddish Egrets (white morph) have pale bills with black tips and blue-gray legs. The "Great White" Heron of southern Florida has yellow legs. |
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