Singapore | 1971 | 5 Cents | Great Egret

 

Great Egret



The Great Egret (Ardea Alba) is a large, widespread white heron found across tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide, common in the Americas and more localized in southern Europe. It resembles other white egrets but is distinguished by its yellow bill, black legs and feet, and, in breeding season, ornamental back plumes. Standing up to 1 m tall with a wingspan of up to 170 cm, it is only slightly smaller than the great blue or grey heron. Males and females look alike, and juveniles resemble non-breeding adults. It flies with its neck retracted, typical of herons, and is generally quiet, giving harsh croaks or squawks mainly when disturbed or at breeding colonies.


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