Great Egret In Breeding Plumage

This image was captured in early April. Nancy was in the front seat of our canoe.

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was founded to protect them from being killed into extinction to harvest their feathers for women's hats in the late 1800's.

Great Egrets first breed at 2 to 3 years old. Both sexes grow long plumes on their back to raise in courtship displays during breeding season, but males perform most of the displays. They tend to nest high. Males choose the display area and build a nest platform before pairing up with a female. They may both collaborate to complete a nest that can be three feet across and one foot deep. They tend to nest 10 to 40 feet high. They typically lay three to four eggs, but could lay as many as six. Both parents incubate the eggs for around 24 days. The young may wander from the nest after three weeks and are able to fly after six weeks.