Great Egret - in tree (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 Egret and American Egret.