Eastern great egret

Did You Know?

• When Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand in 1953 to 1954, she was compared to the kōtuku as a compliment to rare, distinguished visitors.
• The egret is featured on the reverse side of a New Zealand $2 coin.
• It was originally described as the 'pure white heron of India', Ardea modesta, by Gray in 1831.

Description

This large heron measures 83–103 cm in length and weighs 0.7–1.2 kg, with entirely white plumage. Its bill turns black during breeding and yellow otherwise, while its long legs are red or black. Breeding adults develop long neck plumes and a green facial area. The neck is about one and a half times the length of the body, distinguishing it from other white egrets.

Distribution and habitat

The eastern great egret ranges widely across Asia and Oceania, breeding in Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and many other countries. In Australia it breeds across most of the continent except the dry interior and southwest, with large colonies in the Top End and Channel Country. It is an uncommon visitor to Tasmania in autumn and winter.

Behaviour

The eastern great egret spears fish, frogs, small reptiles, birds, rodents, and various invertebrates with its bill while wading in shallow water. It nests in high tree platforms with other herons, egrets, cormorants, spoonbills, and ibises. One brood is raised yearly, with two to six pale blue-green eggs, usually three or four, laid in a shallow basin of sticks.

Status

In Australia, this subspecies is safeguarded by the 1974 National Parks and Wildlife Act. New Zealand’s white heron, or kōtuku, is critically endangered, nesting only at Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. Predator control helped boost the 2023 count to 56 breeding pairs there. The kōtuku nests alongside the royal spoonbill.