Great Egret

Description:

The elegant Great Egret is a dazzling sight in many a North American wetland. Slightly smaller and more svelte than a Great Blue Heron, these are still large birds with impressive wingspans. They hunt in classic heron fashion, standing immobile or wading through wetlands to capture fish with a deadly jab of their yellow bill.

Habitat:

This one held to fishing along the edge of the canal despite three buss loads of students having lunch, playing catch and soccer in the field behind. Bayou Segnette State Park is not far from the urban center of New Orleans, yet it features access to two types of wetlands,swamp and marsh. Saltwater intrusion coming into the canals from the Gulf of Mexico created the marsh. This is a remarkable habitat for plant and wildlife.