Great egret Ardea alba

Identification Tips: 

• Length: 32 inches Wingspan: 55 inches 
• Sexes similar
• Large long-legged long-necked wading bird 
• Usually holds neck in an "S" curve in flight
• Long, thick yellow bill 
• Black legs and feet 
• Entirely white plumage 
• Juvenile similar to basic-plumaged adult 

Adult alternate: 

• Shaggy neck and back plumes 

Similar species: 

• Cattle Egret much smaller with a shorter, stubbier bill and pale legs. Snowy Egret is smaller and has black bill and yellow feet. Immature Little blue Heron is smaller and has a pale bill with a black tip, and green legs. Reddish Egrets (white morph) have pale bills with black tips and blue-gray legs. The "Great White" Heron of southern Florida has yellow legs. 
• Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.