Spectacular Sightings on Sanibel: The Story of Great Egrets

In addition to the snow bird influx in February, it sometimes seems that we get many winged and four legged visitors over winter.

Of course, we do not blame any of our guests for choosing the Island as their home.  When considering the alternatives, especially locales north and west, our climate must seem a dream come true.

One of the special sights in February is the mating of our Great Egrets.

With their plumes in full display, their courting dance is a spectacular demonstration of beauty in motion.  They stretch their necks up.  They crane their necks down.  They spread their tail feathers and fluff up their crests. 

Great Egrets communicate through elaborate courtship rituals, and with vocalizations that are a harsh low “corr”. Much of the way these birds communicate is illustrated by their comely and coordinated dances, and territoriality. When defending their territory they may squawk harshly, leap at, or jab their beak at the intruder.

Prior to the 20th century, the population of great egrets was nearly decimated by the demand for their lacey plumage for women’s hats and other fashionable wear. With great concern for the welfare of great egrets, legal restrictions were placed on the harvesting of this animal. Great egrets were placed under the protection of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918.

By the mid 1900's populations of great egrets were steadily on the rise. Today, populations are doing well. However, there are still many human-induced threats to the survival of great egrets. Loss of habitat, water pollution, and various air pollutants all contribute to the dangers faced by great egrets. Hydrocarbons are especially problematic because they cause great egrets to lay thinner eggs that are more susceptible to cracking or damage before the young hatch.

 Mercury has been found at high levels in the feathers of numerous avian species including great egrets. The amount of mercury found depends on age, sex, geographic location, and mercury concentrations in the habitat around them including the air, soil and organisms they consume. These contaminations have also been found to negatively effect behavior, physiology, and reproduction.

While we recognize this is a lot of information on just one of our Sanibel feathered friends, we hope the next time you see a Great Egret you will remember a little about them.  Knowing who shares the Island with you, makes for a better time!