Family: ArdeidaHabitat: Found in fresh- and salt-water habitats, along lakes, rivers, streams, lagoons and estuaries, and on mudflats; occasionally forages in agricultural fields.
Distribution: Breeding range extends from central Washington and southern Idaho south into California, Nevada, southwestern Arizona, Baja California, and Mexico; also from southwestern Manitoba, South Dakota, central Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, southern Ontario, southwestern Quebec, and New England south to Florida and the Gulf states, and west to eastern Colorado and southern New Mexico. Winter range extends southward from a line running from coastal Oregon and northern California through central Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas and the Gulf coast region to coastal Maryland; occasionally found further north in winter (A.O.U. 1998).
Field Marks: Large, all white heron, with black legs and large, yellowish bill. At a distance, compare with Snowy Egret, which is smaller and has a black bill.
Nest Habits: Breeds singly or in colonies, usually in association with other herons and water birds. Nest is usually placed up to 40 feet (and sometimes up to 90 feet) high in tree and consists of a platform of sticks and twigs with little or no lining.
Eggs: 1-6, usually 3; 57 millimeter; pale blue or bluish-green in color.
Incubation: Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. Incubation usually lasts about 23-26 days, and young are able to fly when they are approximately 42-49 days old.
