Egrets

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Egrets

• James Storm
• Wetland Wildlife Management

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HERONS, IBIS NEW WORLD VULTURES-Order
Ciconiiformes

• Herons-Family Ardeidae
• Genera
• Ardea
• Egretta
• Bubulcus

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Egret Evolution

• The crudeness of the nest, the elliptical form of
  the egg, and other signs suggest to some
  scientists that these birds are one of the lower
  forms on the scale of bird life, not far removed
  from the reptiles, in terms of eons of time.

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Great egret Ardea alba

• Long, thick yellow bill
• Black legs and feet
• Entirely white plumage
• It is the second-largest member of the heron
  family in America
• Second only to the Great Blue Heron

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Great Egret ecology

• Breeding Habitat Wetland-open water
• Clutch Size 3-5
• Number of Broods 1
• Diet
• Mostly
• Aquatic Invertebrates
• Fish
• Lesser Quantities of
• Reptiles or Amphibians
• Small Mammals

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Great Egret Distrabution
Sometimes sighted in the western part of the
state.
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Snowy egret Egretta thula

• Thin black bill and yellow facial skin
• Black legs with yellow feet
• Entirely white plumage

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Snowy Egret Ecology

• Breeding Habitat Wetland-open water
• Their nests are typically 5-10 feet above the
  ground and are made of twigs and sticks
• Clutch Size 3-5
• Number of Broods 1
• Diet
• Mostly
• Aquatic Invertebrates
• Lesser Quantities of
• Reptiles or Amphibians
• Fish
• Small Mammals

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Snowy Egret Distribution
Also sometimes Sighted in the Western part of
The state
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History of the Snowy Egret

• This species was among the most sought after of
  all herons and egrets during the days of the
  plume trade.
• Its recurved back plumes were valued at 32 per
  ounce.
• Twice the contemporary price of gold
• The slaughter pushed the bird near the point of
  extinction

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Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis

• Fairly small
• Short, thick pointed bill
• Tucks neck, rarely extending it
• Often seen feeding in pastures
• or other open habitats away from water

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Cattle Egret Ecology

• Breeding Habitat Wetland-open water
• Clutch Size 2-6
• Number of Broods 1
• Diet
• Mostly
• Insects

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Cattle Egret Distribution
This species can be found throughout most of
Kentucky.
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History of the Cattle Egret

• Often called the Cow Crane, Cow Heron, Cow Bird,
  Buffed-backed heron, Rhinoceros Egret, Elephant
  bird, Hippopotamous Egret and Tick Bird.
• Although called Tick Bird, it doesnt eat ticks.
• They eat insects that are disturbed by the
  grazing behaviors of the birds and there
  associated grazing mammals.

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Reddish egret Egretta rufescens

• Bill fairly long and pointed
• Pink-based bill with black tip
• Dark legs and feet
• neck with shaggy plumes
• Adult-dark morph
• Blue-gray body
• Adult-white morph
• White body

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Reddish Egret Ecology

• Breeding Habitat Wetland-open water
• Clutch Size 3-4
• Number of Broods 1?
• Diet
• Mostly
• Fish
• Aquatic Invertebrates
• Often feeds by flapping wings and running through
  shallow water.

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Reddish Egret Distribution
Unlike the other Egrets Found in North America,
it only inhabits the Southern tip of Florida
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Egret Management

• All North American species breed in open water
  wetlands
• They use marshes and lowland forests in the
  southeastern states and along the Mississippi
  River.
• Feeding areas and many breeding sites are
  directly affected by humans.

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Egret Management

• The cattle egret has expanded its range due to
  the expansion of pasturelands for cattle
• Great egrets and snowy egrets were hit hard
  during the late 1800s and early 1900s due to
  plume harvests for womens hats.
• The Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1916 finally
  gave the birds protection.

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Egret Management Practices

• In New Jersey, colony-site restoration has began
  using Great egret models and recorded colony
  sounds, in an attempt to lure egrets.
• Protection of important wintering areas in the
  tropics is also crucial.
• These area include Cuba, the Great Antilles, the
  Bahamas, and the Gulf and Pacific coasts of
  Central America.

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Management Effectiveness

• Since the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty
  Act all Species of Egret have made a dramatic
  climb in total population.
• This proves they will respond positively to
  management practices.