Great Egret
Ardea alba · Also known as: common egret, great white egret
All-white wader of Assateague marsh edges in the warm months. Larger than a Snowy Egret, with a yellow bill.
Quick facts
| Group | Wader / heron |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★★ |
| Habitats | Salt marsh, Coastal bays, Assateague National Seashore, Assateague State Park |
| Seasons (this coast) | spring, summer, fall |
How to recognize them
- Tall white egret; yellow bill and black legs/feet in basic plumage.
- Breeding birds show long plumes on the back.
- Larger than Snowy Egret; bill is yellow, not black.
Biology notes
- Hunts fish and invertebrates in shallow marsh pools and bay edges.
- Nests in mixed heron rookeries; plumes once drove market hunting (species recovered after protections).
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague salt-marsh edges highlighted by NPS for summer wading birds.
- Bayside flats and quiet canals around West Ocean City and the Isle of Wight Bay shoreline.
When to look
- Most common late spring through early fall; fewer in mid-winter.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Compare bill and leg color with Snowy Egret before logging an ID.
