25-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba ssp. melanorhynchos)

The African Great Egret (Ardea alba melanorhynchos or Casmerodius albus melanorhynchos) is found in the wetlands of tropical Africa.

The African Great Egret has all white feathers, and a long, thin, yellow beak, which may become darker in the breeding season. It has a fine black line from its beak to beyond its eye (like eye-liner underneath the eye). It has black legs and feet.

It grows to 100 centimetres (39 inches) tall, with a wingspan up to 170 centimetres (67 inches).

It flys slowly, with its neck retracted into an S-shape (not out-stretched). Storks, cranes, spoonbills, and ibises fly with their necks out-stretched, but egrets, herons, and bitterns fly with their heads retracted into their neck.

It is a wetland bird. It is a wading bird.

The African Great Egret feeds in shallow water on fish, frogs, insects, and small reptiles. It spears its prey with its long beak when they come near to it. It can stand still in the water, or wade slowly in the water, silently looking for its prey.

The African Great Egret lives in colonies. Pairs mate for life. Females lay 2-6 blue-green eggs in a stick nest made by the male. Both parents sit on the eggs for 23-26 days before they hatch. Both parents feed the chicks. The chicks can fly after about 6-7 weeks.

21-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba ssp. melanorhynchos)

The African Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large, elegant, all-white heron with black legs, a yellow bill, and distinctive breeding plumes, found near wetlands across Africa, feeding on fish, frogs, and small animals, often hunting solo in shallows with a fast, dagger-like strike. They are identifiable by their size (up to 1m tall), long neck (retracted in flight), and contrasting yellow bill with black legs, distinguishing them from other white egrets, and were once hunted for their feathers but are now protected, adapting well to various water bodies, including human-modified ones. 

Appearance & Size

Color: Entirely white with black legs and feet, a yellow bill (darker in breeding season), and bright red eyes with green rings.

Breeding: Develops long, delicate feathers (aigrettes) on their backs and chest for courtship.

Size: Tall wading bird, reaching about 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) in height, with a wingspan up to 1.7 meters (5.5 ft). 

6-4-2018 PHINDA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba ssp. melanorhynchos)

The African Great Egret (Ardea alba melanorhynchos or Casmerodius albus melanorhynchos) is found in the wetlands of tropical Africa.

The African Great Egret has all white feathers, and a long, thin, yellow beak, which may become darker in the breeding season. It has a fine black line from its beak to beyond its eye (like eye-liner underneath the eye). It has black legs and feet.

It grows to 100 centimetres (39 inches) tall, with a wingspan up to 170 centimetres (67 inches).

It flys slowly, with its neck retracted into an S-shape (not out-stretched). Storks, cranes, spoonbills, and ibises fly with their necks out-stretched, but egrets, herons, and bitterns fly with their heads retracted into their neck.

It is a wetland bird. It is a wading bird.

The African Great Egret feeds in shallow water on fish, frogs, insects, and small reptiles. It spears its prey with its long beak when they come near to it. It can stand still in the water, or wade slowly in the water, silently looking for its prey.

The African Great Egret lives in colonies. Pairs mate for life. Females lay 2-6 blue-green eggs in a stick nest made by the male. Both parents sit on the eggs for 23-26 days before they hatch. Both parents feed the chicks. The chicks can fly after about 6-7 weeks.