Friday's Foto

The Great Egret is the largest of North America's white egrets, although there is a somewhat rare white form (or subspecies) of the Great Blue Heron that is larger. This magnificent bird, nearly hunted to extinction for the millinery trade, was one of the first birds saved by an emerging National Audubon Society. According to New York City Audubon’s Harbor Herons Project Nesting Survey, the Great Egret nests on seven islands in New York City, although their numbers have decreased by 26% since the 2010 survey. These elegant birds are extremely aggressive as nestlings and frequently kill their weaker siblings.