Great Egret / Great White Egret

Afrikaans name: Grootwitreier

Photo © Steven Herbert

Egretta alba

Did you know that the Great Egret, often referred to as the Great White Egret, is found on all continents except Antarctica? It occurs across most of South Africa except for the drier western regions.

It is normally found near water including lakes, rivers, flooded grasslands, estuaries etc.

Most of the Great Egrets food is caught in the water. It eats fish, insects, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and birds.

Great Egrets nest in colonies of up to 200 nests. The male brings nesting material to the female who makes the nest. The nest is made of sticks and lined with plant material. Up to 5 eggs are laid. The eggs and chicks are tended to by both parents.

The wingspan of a Great Egret may be as much as 1.7 metres. They are around 1 metre tall. Male and female have identical plumage.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	58	Casmerodius albus melanorhynchus
2nd	58	Casmerodius albus
3rd	58	Casmerodius albus
4th	58	Casmerodius albus
5th	66	Egretta alba
6th	66	Egretta alba
7th	435	Ardea alba

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	58	Great White Heron
2nd	58	Great White Heron
3rd	58	Great White Egret
4th	58	Great White Egret
5th	66	Great White Egret
6th	66	Great White Egret
7th	435	Great Egret

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	58	Groot-wit-reier
2nd	58	Groot Witreier
3rd	58	Groot Witreier
4th	58	Groot Witreier
5th	66	Grootwitreier
6th	66	Grootwitreier
7th	435	Grootwitreier

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 32

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 40

The Herons Handbook - Author: James Hancock and James Kushlan - Published: 1984 - Page: 85

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 51

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 21

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 58

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 62

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 48

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 48

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 35

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 29

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 72

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 176

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 22

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 177

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 72

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 54

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 28

Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 43

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 9

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 30

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 15

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 21

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 18

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 1 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 8

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 172

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 172

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 48

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 40

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 37

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds