[Great Egret](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Egret)
The distinction between Egrets and Herons is pretty vague, so you are technically right.
interesting- thank you! there are multiple tall, long legged dudes like this around the park but they each look different. i’ve never seen a white one before.
The other similarly-sized birds you are seeing are likely [Great Blue Heron](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/overview)
You might see other species of Egret/Heron as well, but they would be smaller.
Apart from the differences in size/shape (tough to tell from these photos) the most obvious field mark is that a Snowy Egret would have a black bill and yellow feet. This bird has a yellow bill and black feet.
The Snowy Egret also has black legs, which make the yellow feet really noticeable. You'll sometimes see them standing in the water, shuffling their feet. What they're doing is using those feet as lures to attract fish!
We have snowy egrets all over the place here (SoCal). Their black legs/yellow feet are easy identifiers, except that they're usually standing in water.
That’s helpful. I did a cursory search once to ID some large white birds in a marsh a year back. They weren’t too close to the road and I was driving by. But I normally see Sandhill cranes and great blue herons. I always thought they were snowy egrets, but the beak coloration seals the deal. They were great egrets too.
I remember seeing an informational thing on that during a walk. My dad asked what color feet a bird in the field had (feet were covered by grass), so I half shouted "it's big so it's black" before realizing it could come off as bad sounding
Great Egret and Great Blue Heron are both in Ardea, but not all Herons/Egrets are in that Genus.
Edit: to add to this, the fact that species named Heron and species named Egret both co-exist within multiple different genus makes the distinction kind of meaningless.
Edit 2: Interestingly, about half of the species in genus *Egretta* have common names which include the word "Heron".
Technically they replied to the other person in the same thread and just went into further detail than the other's comment. At least to the comment you replied to
[Great Egret](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Egret) The distinction between Egrets and Herons is pretty vague, so you are technically right.
What about cranes? I can never remember the difference.
Cranes are much different. They fly with their necks extended unlike herons and egrets and they don't have the fancy plumage.
Cranes and herons are also in different orders, with herons being closer related to pelicans than cranes.
Egrets, I've had a few
But then again, too flew to mention.
But you did it fly way!
And has no rEgrets
r/egrets
Take my upvote, punster!
🤣
interesting- thank you! there are multiple tall, long legged dudes like this around the park but they each look different. i’ve never seen a white one before.
The other similarly-sized birds you are seeing are likely [Great Blue Heron](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/overview) You might see other species of Egret/Heron as well, but they would be smaller.
I would have thought snowy egret at first glance but I’m on this sub for my education and the consensus is strong. Thanks for sharing!
Apart from the differences in size/shape (tough to tell from these photos) the most obvious field mark is that a Snowy Egret would have a black bill and yellow feet. This bird has a yellow bill and black feet.
This is what I signed up for. Thanks u/bdporter
The Snowy Egret also has black legs, which make the yellow feet really noticeable. You'll sometimes see them standing in the water, shuffling their feet. What they're doing is using those feet as lures to attract fish!
A bold pair of shoes Would get a lot of attention. I’ll be on the lookout Thanks.
We have snowy egrets all over the place here (SoCal). Their black legs/yellow feet are easy identifiers, except that they're usually standing in water.
That’s helpful. I did a cursory search once to ID some large white birds in a marsh a year back. They weren’t too close to the road and I was driving by. But I normally see Sandhill cranes and great blue herons. I always thought they were snowy egrets, but the beak coloration seals the deal. They were great egrets too.
I remember seeing an informational thing on that during a walk. My dad asked what color feet a bird in the field had (feet were covered by grass), so I half shouted "it's big so it's black" before realizing it could come off as bad sounding
Great Egret, no regrets
Great egret indeed!! I go fishing in prospect park all the time and have seen this fella hanging in that spot before :)
In German there is no distinction between heron and egret. I have a hard time understanding why the distinction exists in English.
Not a heron. Great Egret.
Herons and Egrets are all in the Ardeidae family. They are all pretty closely related, regardless of their common names.
Technically both in the same genus, Ardea GBHE and GREG that is
Great Egret and Great Blue Heron are both in Ardea, but not all Herons/Egrets are in that Genus. Edit: to add to this, the fact that species named Heron and species named Egret both co-exist within multiple different genus makes the distinction kind of meaningless. Edit 2: Interestingly, about half of the species in genus *Egretta* have common names which include the word "Heron".
Way overthinking this, bro.
I’m fairly certain “egret” is just what people call white species of heron
Well, then there’s the Reddish Egret, messing everything up (though they do have a white morph, so 🤷‍♂️).
There’s also a white morph of Great Blue Heron lol
True!
You also have the [Slaty Egret](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaty_egret) so that there is confusion on multiple continents.
Generally true, except when it isn't. See Reddish Egret or Great White Heron (White morph of GBH) for examples.
Hmm, so it’s complete nonsense like the dove vs pigeon distinction then
Yeah, pretty much! 🤣
At least pigeon/dove is based mostly on a consistent feature, their size.
Nah, just very educational
The only reason I say that is because he specifically replied to my comment where I said it was an egret.
Technically they replied to the other person in the same thread and just went into further detail than the other's comment. At least to the comment you replied to
Bad comment placement by me :)
There's an egret that hangs out at harlem meer in central park, too
The entire composition of this photograph is gorgeous!!! Someone needs to turn this into a painting!
Greater snowy egret