Great Egret - in breeding plumage with long plumes trailing from back extending beyond tail, in display (Casmerodius albus). Louisiana, USA. Distinguished from most other white herons by large size (L39' W51'). Common in marshes, mangroves swamps, mud flats. Partial to open habitats for feeding, stalks prey slowly and methodically. Population was greatly reduced by plume hunters at the turn of the century, now mostly recovered and is still expanding in some part of range. Formerly called Common