Great Egret

Great egrets (Adrea alba) are common along Arizona’s waterways, including the Gila, Salt, Verde and Colorado rivers, as well as at Gilbert’s Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, where this egret was photographed. The large birds fly at a speed of approximately 25 mph, with two wingbeats per second. Characterized by their yellow beaks and black legs, these members of the heron family are a little more than 3 feet tall and forage by wading in shallow water in search of fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. Not surprisingly, a great egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society.