great egret
noun
: a large white heron (Ardea alba synonym Casmerodius albus) with a yellow bill and black legs and feet that occurs in New and Old World temperate and tropical regions
Examples of great egret in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Long-legged wading birds, including white ibis, great egret, snowy egret and little blue heron have tripled their populations in the floodplain.
—
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
During nesting season in spring and early summer, the area is filled with birds like great egrets, roseate spoonbills and herons, drawing birdwatchers and photographers from across the region.
—USA Today, 11 June 2025
Additionally, the American white ibis and great egret are common and especially numerous during the breeding season.
—David Escribano, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024
Speeding across the lake with the throttle pushed to the max proved exhilarating, but entering the Dora Canal provided a serene, shady respite from the open sun with towering cypress trees and plenty of birds to spot — including a limpkin, great blue herons, anhingas, great egrets and more.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2024
The National Audubon Society helped save them, using the great egret as its logo.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
In the late 1800s, great egrets were hunted nearly to extinction because their plumes were prized for ladies’ hats.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
Two surf scoters at the Quabbin Reservoir, a solitary sandpiper at the Dufresne Park in Granby, a great egret at Lake Wallace in Belchertown, seven sandhill cranes in Worthington, and a pectoral sandpiper on Meadow Street in Amherst.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
Martha’s Vineyard: A Townsend’s solitaire in the vicinity of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest headquarters, a great egret at Eel Pond in Edgartown, an American oystercatcher at Joseph Sylvia State Beach, and three common ravens at the Wasque Point Wildlife Management Area.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2023
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Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
During nesting season in spring and early summer, the area is filled with birds like great egrets, roseate spoonbills and herons, drawing birdwatchers and photographers from across the region.
—USA Today, 11 June 2025
Additionally, the American white ibis and great egret are common and especially numerous during the breeding season.
—David Escribano, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024
Speeding across the lake with the throttle pushed to the max proved exhilarating, but entering the Dora Canal provided a serene, shady respite from the open sun with towering cypress trees and plenty of birds to spot — including a limpkin, great blue herons, anhingas, great egrets and more.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2024
The National Audubon Society helped save them, using the great egret as its logo.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
In the late 1800s, great egrets were hunted nearly to extinction because their plumes were prized for ladies’ hats.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
Two surf scoters at the Quabbin Reservoir, a solitary sandpiper at the Dufresne Park in Granby, a great egret at Lake Wallace in Belchertown, seven sandhill cranes in Worthington, and a pectoral sandpiper on Meadow Street in Amherst.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
Martha’s Vineyard: A Townsend’s solitaire in the vicinity of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest headquarters, a great egret at Eel Pond in Edgartown, an American oystercatcher at Joseph Sylvia State Beach, and three common ravens at the Wasque Point Wildlife Management Area.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Great egret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20egret. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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