Storm Watcher - American Egret, Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Florida

American Egret Images, Facts and Information:

Ardea egretta (was Ardea alba and Great Egret until October 2026)

  • American Egrets are tall, long-legged wading birds with all white plumage, yellow bills and black legs.
  • In some areas American Egrets are year round residents and in others they are medium distance migrants.
  • In the mid nineteenth century American Egrets were nearly hunted to extinction because of their plumes. At the time they were used in ladies hats. When hunting them became illegal they slowly bounced back and are no longer in danger of extinction.
  • American Egrets can be found in ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps, freshwater, brackish water and saltwater environments.
  • American Egrets eat fish, amphibians, crustaceans, eggs, birds, small mammals, insects and reptiles.
  • American Egrets lay 1 to 6 eggs which hatch in 23 to 26 days. Both sexes incubate and they are monogamous, colonial nesters.
  • A group of egrets can be called a “heronry”, “skewer” and “wedge” of egrets.
  • American Egrets can live to be more than 22 years old.

I hope you enjoy viewing my American Egret photos.

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