Great Egret in the Mangroves at Birding and Nature Center

A Great Egret stands quietly in the mangroves at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. This elegant white wader belongs to the heron family Ardeidae, which includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Members of this family hunt patiently, using long legs and spear-like bills to capture fish, frogs, and crustaceans. The species scientific name is Ardea alba, one of the most widespread herons on Earth. Great Egrets nearly disappeared in the early 1900s because their ornate breeding plumes were used in hats. South Padre’s mangroves and wetlands provide perfect feeding habitat for this tall coastal hunter. Love to photograph this bird as its so striking.