The Story
This Great Egret (Ardea alba) was at Reserva Natural La Palmita in Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia when I photographed it. The Great Egret is not usually a vocal bird, but it gives a low, hoarse croak when disturbed. It weighs around 1,000 grams on average. Apart from its size, its yellow bill and black legs and feet set it apart from other white egrets. In breeding plumage it carries delicate ornamental feathers on its back. La Palmita’s research center has recorded 250 bird species and 39 bat species in the flooded savannas of Trinidad. IUCN lists the Great Egret as Least Concern, with a stable population.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100. La Palmita conserves its flooded savannas through its cattle ranching and has welcomed visitors since 2013, so every stay supports sustainable tourism in the region.
©2019 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) belongs to the family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2025), with the population trend listed as stable. Source: IUCN Red List
