Come identificare Great Egret

Per identificare correttamente Great Egret (Ardea alba), controlla ciascuna di queste caratteristiche. Gli uccelli possono essere complicati da riconoscere, perché comportamento, habitat e canto spesso confermano ciò che una sola foto non può.

Dimensioni a colpo d'occhio

Lunghezza

80-104 cm (31-41 in)

Apertura alare

131-170 cm (52-67 in)

Peso

700-1500 g (1.5-3.3 lbs)

Caratteristiche fisiche da controllare

1. 1

   Piumaggio

   Colorazione e disegno generale del piumaggio.

   Entirely pure white plumage throughout the year. During the breeding season, adults develop long, delicate, lacy scapular plumes (aigrettes) that extend beyond the tail.

2. 2

   Forma del becco

   Forma e colore del becco, un segno di campo chiave.

   Long, dagger-like, and pointed. Non-breeding adults have a yellow-orange bill, which turns black or dark grey with a yellow base during the breeding season. Juveniles have a yellow bill.

3. 3

   Colore degli occhi

   Colore dell'iride e segni distintivi sugli occhi.

   Yellow iris, surrounded by a patch of greenish-yellow skin (lores) that turns bright green during the breeding season.

4. 4

   Colore delle zampe

   Colore di zampe e piedi.

   Long, slender legs and feet are typically black. During breeding, the upper legs (tibia) may show a reddish or yellowish tinge.

5. 5

   Caratteristiche distintive

   Tratti distintivi che separano questa specie.

   Large size, all-white plumage, long S-curved neck, and a distinctive slow, deliberate gait when wading. The combination of a yellow bill (non-breeding) or black bill (breeding) and black legs is key.

6. 6

   Aspetto giovanile

   Come i giovani si differenziano dagli adulti.

   Similar to non-breeding adults, with all-white plumage, yellow bill, and black legs. They lack the elaborate breeding plumes.

7. 7

   Cambiamenti stagionali

   Variazione del piumaggio tra stagione riproduttiva e non.

   Non-breeding adults have a yellow-orange bill and greenish-yellow lores. During the breeding season, the bill darkens to black (or dark grey with a yellow base), the lores turn bright emerald green, and long, delicate scapular plumes (aigrettes) develop on the back, extending beyond the tail.

8. 8

   Dimorfismo sessuale

   Differenze tra maschi e femmine.

   Males and females are outwardly similar in plumage and size, though males may be slightly larger on average. Breeding plumes are present in both sexes.

Segni di campo chiave

• Size and Shape. Look for a very large, slender, all-white heron with a long, S-curved neck and long legs. It stands taller than most other white egrets.
• Bill Color. In non-breeding plumage, the bill is yellow-orange. In breeding plumage, the bill turns black or dark grey with a yellow base. This is a key differentiator from Little Egrets (black bill, yellow feet) and Snowy Egrets (black bill, yellow feet).
• Leg and Foot Color. Legs and feet are entirely black in all plumages. This distinguishes it from Little Egrets and Snowy Egrets, which have yellow feet.
• Lores Color. The skin between the eye and the bill (lores) is greenish-yellow in non-breeding birds, turning bright emerald green during the breeding season. This green patch is very distinctive in breeding birds.
• Breeding Plumes. During breeding season, look for long, delicate, lacy plumes (aigrettes) on its back that extend beyond the tail. These are absent in non-breeding birds and juveniles.
• Flight Profile. Observe its flight: slow, powerful wingbeats with the neck retracted into an S-shape and legs trailing straight behind.

Esplora Great Egret