(Branta canadensis)
Showing posts with label Waterfowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Waterfowl. Show all posts
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
The Great Egret along with its cousin species the Snowy Egret were once in danger of disappearing in America when their plumes were collected to decorate fashionable hats in the late 1800s. In a 9 month period it was calculated that as many as 130,000 birds were killed to collect their plumes for the London market alone. Among others their plight motivated conservationists Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall to form the Massachusetts Audubon Society which was the beginnings of our National Audubon Society. Over time the species made a comeback. In 1953 the National Audubon Society adopted the Great Egret as its emblem symbol where it can be seen in the logo today.
Local Great Egrets are commonly seen most of the year wading in wetland areas or even in backyard ponds waiting to ambush their wet meal below. They can be distinguished from both the all white Cattle Egret and Snowy Egret due to their larger size.
