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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Great Egret
(Casmerodius albus) M |
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RANGE: Breeds from southern and southern
Idaho south to southwestern Arizona, and from southeastern
Saskatchewan, southwestern Manitoba, southern Ontario, and Maine
south through the Gulf States to South America. Disperses after
breeding to the north into Washington, Michigan, southern
Ontario and Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces. Winters from
northern California across southern United States, and south
along Atlantic Coast from New Jersey through South America.
STATUS: Common throughout range.
HABITAT: Inhabits streams, ponds, lakes, rice fields, freshwater
and saltwater marshes and lagoons, and mud flats. After feeding
during day, flies singly or in small groups to a communal roost
in trees or shrubbery. Gregarious during all seasons.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Open water or wetland habitats
near woodlands.
NEST: Nests singly or in colonies, often with wading bird
species. Usually nests in woods or thickets near water so long
as there is adequate support for the nest. Builds nest from 1 to
40 feet above ground, depending on substrate. Sensitive to
disturbance by people when nesting and may flush at the
slightest provocation.
FOOD: Forages in freshwater, brackish, or saltwater swamps,
along streams, and in ponds. Consumes fishes, frogs,
salamanders, snakes, snails, crustaceans, insects, and small
mammals.
REFERENCES: Grinnell and Miller 1944, Low and Mansell 1983,
Palmer 1962, Sykes in Farrand 1983a, Terres 1980. |
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