Great White Egret vs Plumed Egret

In short

The Great White Egret and Plumed Egret are both large, white herons, but the Great White Egret is notably larger with a longer, more slender bill and neck. The Plumed Egret has a more compact build with a rounded head and plumes on the chest during breeding, unlike the Great Egret which has plumes only on the back.

Identification tips

• Size and Structure: The Great White Egret is larger with a longer, slender bill and neck. The Plumed Egret is more compact with a rounded head.
• Gape Line: The gape of the Great White Egret extends behind the eye, unlike the Plumed Egret.
• Breeding Plumes: Look for chest plumes on the Plumed Egret during breeding season, absent in the Great White Egret.
• Legs and Feet: Both species have long legs, but the Great White Egret's legs are proportionally longer.

Size

The Great White Egret is larger, with a wingspan of about 140–170 cm, compared to the smaller Plumed Egret.

Plumage

Both species are all-white, but the Plumed Egret has chest plumes in breeding plumage, while the Great White Egret has plumes on the back only.

Behaviour

Both species feed by walking slowly in shallow water, but the Great White Egret is often seen in a wider range of wetland habitats.

Habitat

The Great White Egret is found in a variety of wetland habitats, while the Plumed Egret typically inhabits flooded areas with short emergent vegetation, such as rice fields and cattle pastures.