This summer you should plan on walks
along our paths around or between the Carillon Stonegate ponds to see our birds
and wildlife. For those of us with homes on the ponds, you can sit on your deck and
observe our wildlife.
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| Great Egrets hunting on Carillon Stonegate Pond |
One bird that we have all seen is the
Great Egret – a majestic white bird typically wading the shoreline of our
ponds.
For today’s blog, I have used a variety
of sources, including Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds and the Audubon Society as a basis for
learning.
COMMON NAME:
Great Egret
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Ardea alba
RESIDENCY:
Great Egret is common in North America (see map below from All About Birds). They are also found throughout South
America, Africa, and parts of Asia. In Illinois, they are common migrants and
summer residents as well as a breeding area (in orange in map below).
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| Great Egret Range Map |
HABITAT:
According to the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Great Egret requires two distinct habitat
types: 1) foraging habitat in unpolluted wetland situations and 2) nesting
habitat, usually near foraging habitat, containing either trees or shrubs that
provide enough support and building materials (twigs) for the nest. The Great Egret lives around marshes,
ponds, shorelines of rivers and lakes, flooded fields and mudflats.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
The Great Egret has all white feathers. Their bills are yellowish-orange. And
they have black legs. They are about 3 feet tall and weigh in at only 2 pounds.
WHERE AT CARILLON STONEGATE POND: Look
along the shorelines of our ponds. And occasionally, you can spot one roosting
in the trees above our western pond.
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| Great Egret roosting over Carillon Stonegate Pond |
IN-FLIGHT:
The flight of the Great Egret has been described as regal, elegant and
graceful. How would you describe it? As these birds fly, you will notice the
large wingspan that can be 5 to 6 feet. In flight, they retract their S-shaped neck
– this distinguishes Great Egrets from Storks and Cranes which fly with their
necks fully extended.
DINING MENU: The Great Egret is a
carnivore and hunter. They feed on fish, frogs, crustaceans, snakes and other
small aquatic animals. HUNTING METHOD: Great Egrets and the Great Blue Heron hunt in a similar fashion. They wade slowly through the shore of ponds and wetlands. They will stand immobile patiently awaiting a fish – its motionless legs looking like branches to its prey. They will jab their sharp bill and snatch up the fish or prey – usually headfirst and swallow it.
SOUNDS: Great Egrets are mostly
silent as you see them on our ponds. But they do make various croaking calls.
And when they are alarmed or disturbed, they produce a very harsh croak.
OTHER FUN FACTS:
➤ During the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s, the Great Egret was hunted almost to extinction as its beautiful white plumes (feathers) were used to decorate hats.
➤ In 1953, the Great Egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, founded in part to stop these birds from being killed to extinction (All About Birds).
➤ The Great Egret was included on the Illinois Endangered Species List in 1977, but is doing well now and has been off this list since the late 1990’s.
➤ The average life span for the Great Egret is 15 years.
➤ During the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s, the Great Egret was hunted almost to extinction as its beautiful white plumes (feathers) were used to decorate hats.
➤ In 1953, the Great Egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, founded in part to stop these birds from being killed to extinction (All About Birds).
➤ The Great Egret was included on the Illinois Endangered Species List in 1977, but is doing well now and has been off this list since the late 1990’s.
➤ The average life span for the Great Egret is 15 years.
For more information on Great Egrets and
sources of information used in this blog (these are the sources that I am using
to learn as I blog), please visit All About Birds, Audubon Society and Illinois Natural History Survey. And the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
provides a wonderful source of information for anyone interested in learning
more about birds.
The Carillon at Stonegate community is very
fortunate to have a variety of wetland, forest and prairie environments conducive
to a variety of birds and other wildlife. Our community and the Kane County Forest Preserve does an exceptional job in maintaining this natural environment
– both for the benefit of the birds and wildlife and for our residents to
enjoy. Take a hike and see what you can find – and identify!
And please come back to our blog – “Life
on Carillon Stonegate Pond” to learn more about the birds and wildlife that live or visit this wonderful habitat. As I learn, I share with you.
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