Great egret / Silberreiher (Ardea alba)

Great egret in flight after sunrise. 2024-02-26 06:59:58 Laos

Observations

First documented observation: 2021-02-24 in Neeracherried. Most recent observation: 2026-02-28 in Wildert.

Description

Classification: Genus Great herons (Ardea); Family Herons (Ardeidae)
Geography: This bird appears across the great seas in the following continents: Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia.
General: Auf dem Heimweg von Schwanden haben wir bei Benken ganz weisse Reiher gesehen. Laut ornitho.ch waren sie Silberreiher.
General: Bei den meisten Quellen heisst es, sie sind in der Schweiz nur Durchzüger oder Wintergäste. Aber laut Balzari und Gygax, brüten auch einige Vögel am Lac Neuchatel seit 2013.
General: Deutschland: Zugvogel, Wintergast
Vocalization: Silent outside breeding ground. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Migration in: 03-01 - 05-31
Migration out: 08-09 - 11-15
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=85-102 cm, wingspan=140-170 cm, weight=960-1030 g
Habitats: Wetland

Vocalisation

Calls: In colonies various harsh calls like a dry, and mechanical "kerrrrrrr", and a very nasal "geet" or "ga-geet ga-geet" are heard. [Link] 1: Partly an awkward quack: uck uck. Rattles. Deep-toned urrr. Higher-toned trill.
2: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording.
XC751146 - Great Egret - Ardea alba - call and flight call - Shanghai, China.

XC751146 - Great Egret - Ardea alba - call and flight call - Shanghai, China. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC751146 - Great Egret - Ardea alba - call and flight call - Shanghai, China.mp3 (flight call)


Call attributes: Call melody: non-musical, slow, Frequency: low (1-3 KHz),