Great Egret (Ardea alba)

A magnifcent bird, the Great Egret is pectacular during mating season, when both male and female grow their long and delicate plumes to attract a mate. These plumes also attracted a deadly enemy: Plume hunters who slaughtered these and many other plume birds to near extinction in the late 19th century. Entire rookeries were decimated for women's hat fashions.

Thanks to the creation of conservation agencies like the Audubon Society the birds received enough protection to make a comeback and allow our children to enjoy sights like this.

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