A Great Egret landing in shallow water at Merimbula Lake.

Birds of NSW & ACT, Australia

Author: Oystercatcher

The Great Egret is a large white water bird with yellow bill. The neck is about one and a half times as long as the body. It has dark grey or black legs. The bill becomes very dark almost black in the breeding season, and the skin on face becomes greenish. It also grows long plumes on its back during the breeding season. Immatures are similar to adults with darker tip to the bill.