Eastern Great Egret at Hebbal Lake, Bangalore

Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore is favorite spot for various colorful birds. One of the white heron that can be seen here Eastern Great Egret. They can be distinguished from other white egrets by its very long neck.

This large heron measures about 83 to 103 cms in length. The overall plumage is white and the legs are dark olive-grey or sooty black. When not breeding, the bill and facial skin are yellow and the bill turns mostly black and the facial skin becomes green during breeding.

They prefer shallow water, particularly when flowing, but may be seen on any watered area, including damp grasslands. Great Egrets can be seen alone or in small flocks, often with other egret species.

They usually feed alone. The preferred diet is fist. But they also feed on aquatic insects, molluscs, amphibians, small reptiles, crustaceans and occasionally other small animals.