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The great egret (Ardea alba), also known as the common egret, large egret, or (in the Old World) great white egret [2] or great white heron, [3] [4] [5] is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe.
The OED also observes that shiterow or shederow are terms used for herons, and also applied as derogatory terms meaning a thin, weakly person. This name for a heron is found in a list of game birds in a royal decree of James VI (1566–1625) of Scotland. The OED speculates that shiterow is a corruption of shiteheron. [6]
Measuring 83–103 centimetres (33–41 in) in length and weighing 0.7–1.2 kilograms (1 lb 9 oz – 2 lb 10 oz), the eastern great egret is a large heron with all-white plumage. Its bill is black in the breeding season and yellow at other times, [ 7 ] and its long legs are red or black.
The distinction between a heron and an egret is rather vague, and depends more on appearance than biology. The word "egret" comes from the French word aigrette that means both "silver heron" and "brush", referring to the long, filamentous feathers that seem to cascade down an egret's back during the breeding season (also called "egrets").
The snowy egret (Egretta thula) is a small white heron. The genus name comes from Provençal French for the little egret, aigrette, ... The birds eat fish, ...
And many believe that the Cardinal's spiritual meaning is a good omen—even indicating that someone is trying to get your attention. ... If, by chance, the bird is looking away from you, then ...
The white-backed night heron seems to be sedentary, but it has been observed in some circumstances to have migrated to locations with heavy rain. [14] White-backed night herons are known foragers, meaning they search for food primarily along waterways. They have been observed to eat fish, amphibians, mollusks and insects. [10]
Hawk in flight. With their broad wingspans and sharp talons, hawks are some of the most regal birds in the skies. But beyond their powerful physical qualities, hawks hold deep spiritual meaning ...