egret
3 synonyms for egret, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A long-legged wading bird of the heron family, usually with white plumage and a dagger-shaped bill, which feeds on fish and insects in shallow water.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use egret
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
great egret
snowy egret
cattle egret
little egret
a flock of egrets
Etymology
From Old French 'aigrette', a diminutive of 'aigron' (heron), which is of Germanic origin. The same word gives English 'aigrette' for the plume worn as a head ornament.
Full origin of egret →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an egret and a heron?
Egrets are herons: they belong to the same family, Ardeidae, and the name is used mainly for the white-plumaged species. There is no strict scientific line between the two, and some birds, such as the great egret, are called white herons in parts of the world.
Why were egrets nearly hunted to extinction?
Their fine breeding plumes, called aigrettes, were prized for women's hats in the late nineteenth century, and whole colonies were shot during the nesting season. The outcry over the trade helped found early bird protection societies and led to some of the first wildlife protection laws.
What do egrets eat?
Mostly fish, frogs, crustaceans and large insects, taken by standing very still in shallow water and striking with the bill. Cattle egrets differ by feeding on dry land, following grazing animals and livestock machinery for flushed insects.
