Scientific Name: Ardea alba
Malay Name: Bangau Besar
Chinese Name: 大白鹭
Range: Found from North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Central Europe, Central Asia, Siberia, Indian subcontinent, China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia to Australia. More northerly populations winter to central America, southern Africa, southern Europe and Southeast Asia.
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: alba, melanorhynchos, modesta, egretta.
Local Subspecies: modesta
Size: 85-102 cm
Identification: Plumage of non-breeding adult is all white with heavy yellow bill and black legs. Breeding adult has red legs and black bill. Distinguished from other white Egret species by longer and strongly kinked neck and pointed extension of facial skin (gape line) which extends beyond eye. Juvenile resembles non-breeding adult.
Similar looking species: Eastern Cattle Egret, Medium Egret, Little Egret, Pacific Reef Heron, Chinese Egret
Habitat: Various inland and coastal wetlands, mangroves and mudflats.
Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds on mostly fish, but will also take amphibians (frogs), aquatic invertebrates (insects, crayfish), and reptiles (snakes).
Local Status: Common migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
Location: Sungei Buloh, Mandai Mudflat, Seletar Mudflat, Kranji Marsh, Tuas South, Pulau Ubin (Chek Jawa) and any suitable patch of habitat.
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Great Egret)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Ardea alba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22697043A155465940.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Great Egret. Retrieved on April 29, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/great-egret.