You wouldn't know it today but in the early 1900's Egret feathers were in such demand by the hat makers of Europe and the United States that plume hunters nearly took the Great Egret population into extinction. During a recent 2-hour water bird count in Leisure World, two Arizona Field Ornithologists counted 169 Great Egrets, amongst other water birds. Here is the complete list of their survey.
American Coot 40
Ring-necked Duck 46
Northern Shoveler 46
Neotropic Cormorant 31
Great Blue Heron 15
Great Egret 169
Pied-billed Grebe 3
American Wigeon 446
Double Crested Cormorant 2
Black Crowned Night Heron 20
Green Heron 2
Canada Goose 2
Redhead 2
Ruddy Duck 10
Snowy Egret 2
Killdeer 4
Black-necked Stilt 7
Canvasback 2
The abundance of fish is one of the reasons these Great Egrets live here in Leisure World.
This one scooped a small fish from the water while I watched and is now heading towards the shore to enjoy it's lunch.
wow thats fascinating, what a neat looking bird.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are neat looking birds. Almost 3 ft tall. Member of the heron family.
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