Native Animals
Ardea alba
Great Egret
LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
ver 3.1, 2016
Taxonomy
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Specific Epithetalba Linnaeus, 1758
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Synonym
- Casmerodius albus (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Egretta alba Turbott, 1990
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Common Name
- Bangau Besar (Malay)
- Great Egret (English)
- Great White Egret (English)
- Great White Heron (English)
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ResidentialNative
Description
Ardea alba, commonly known as Great White Egret or Great Egret was first described by Linnaeus in the year 1758. Compared to other egret groups, this species has a much larger body size. The wingspan of this bird can reach up to 145 cm, and the body length ranges from 94 cm to 104 cm. It has a long S-shaped neck, long leg, white body and a dagger-like bill. The non-breeding adult has a yellow bill with blackish legs, while the breeding adult has a blackish bill and a reddish leg. The juvenile has a similar morphology as the non-breeding adult. In flight, its neck is tucked in, and the legs extend far from its tail.
The species can be found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats such as coastal and inland water bodies, paddy fields and mangroves (del Hoyo et al.,1992). The diets for this species include fishes, frogs, crustaceans, and other small aquatic animals. In drier habitats, lizards, small birds and mammals are some of the choices of its food (del Hoyo et al., 1992).
Habitats
| No | Description | Suitability | Seasonality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Wetlands → Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands [generally over 8 ha]
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Suitable | Unknown |
| 2 |
Wetlands → Permanent Freshwater Lakes [over 8 ha]
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Suitable | Unknown |
References : http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes/habitats-classification-scheme-ver3
Assessment
| Year Published | Assessment | Red List Category | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
|
3.1 |
| 2012 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
|
N/A |
| 2009 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
|
N/A |
| 2008 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
|
N/A |
| 2004 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
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N/A |
| 1988 | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |
Least Concern (LC)
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N/A |
Structure
Legs
Color
Black
Plumage
Color
White
Location
by State Location
- Johore 4
- Kedah 1
- Penang 1
- Perak 3
- Sarawak 1
- Federal Territories of Putrajaya 2
Based on publications, specimens, and images
Biodiversity Experts
| Profile | |
|---|---|
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Abdul Rahman (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
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Birds,
Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Environment, Forest, Protected Areas & Wildlife Trade
|
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Ahmad Khusaini Bin Mohd Kharip Shah (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
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Birds (Ecology),
Conservation
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Birds,
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Andrew Alek Tuen (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
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Mammals, Birds,
Protected Areas
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Azmi Mat Ali (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
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Birds (Taxonomy),
Biodiversity, Conservation & Wildlife Trade
|
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Farah Shafawati Mohd Taib (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Birds, Mammals, Rodents, Treeshrews, Squirrels,
Biodiversity, Conservation, Data Analysis, Ecosystems & Taxonomy
|
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Hasdi Hassan @ Asang (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
|
Birds,
Conservation & Management
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Ismail Bin Hj. Mamat (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
|
Birds,
Biodiversity, Protected Areas & Invasive Alien Species
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Meor Amran Bin Meor Zulkifilee (Mr.)
Birdgroup Taman Negara (BGTN)
|
Birds,
Business, Environment, Forest, Management & Tourism
|
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Mohammad Shahfiz Azman (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Amphibians, Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles,
Awareness, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Environment, Forest, Landscape, Law and Policy, Management, Protected Areas, Science, Systematics, Invasive Alien Species, Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC), National Policy on Biological Diversity, Policy, Research and Development (R&D) & Zoonotic
|
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Mohd Abdul Muin Bin Md Akil (Mr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
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Amphibians, Birds, Reptiles, Snakes,
Biodiversity, Conservation, Evolution, Genetics, Molecular, Protected Areas, Climate Change & Invasive Alien Species
|
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Mustafa Abdul Rahman (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
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Birds,
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Rahmah Binti Ilias (Mrs.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
|
Birds,
Biodiversity, Conservation, Protected Areas & Invasive Alien Species
|
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Rosli Hashim (Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
|
Birds (Ecology), Mammals (Ecology), Spiders, Insects,
Biodiversity & Protected Areas
|
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Rosli Ramli (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
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Mammals (Ecology), Birds,
Biodiversity, Digital Sequence Information (DSI), Protected Areas & Marine & Coastal
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Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli (Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
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Birds (Ecology), Fishes (Ecology), Molluscs (Ecology),
Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Marine & Coastal & Water
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Yeap Chin Aik (Mr.)
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
|
Birds (Ecology),
Awareness, Biodiversity, Biological Resource, Conservation, Ecosystems, Education, Forest, Landscape, Management, Protected Areas & Traditional Knowledge (TK)
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PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;
References
Article
- Azman, N.M., Abdul Latip, N.S., Shahrul Anuar, M.S., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shafie, N.J. & Khairuddin, N.L. (2011). Avian Diversity and Feeding Guilds in a Secondary Forest, an Oil Palm Plantation and a Paddy Field in Riparian Areas of the Kerian River Basin, Perak, Malaysia. Tropical Life Sciences Research (TSLR) 22 (2), 45–64
- Correa, T.C., Del Lama, S.N., De Souza, J.R. & Mino, C.I. (2016). Genetic structuring among populations of the great egret, Ardea alba egretta, in major Brazilian wetlands. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 26 (2), 333-349. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2588
- Pratt, H.D. (2011). Observations on species limits in the Great Egret (Ardea alba) complex. Journal of Heron Biology and Conservation. 1 (5), 5. https://www.heronconservation.org/media/JHBC/vol01/01_05_Pratt.pdf
- Rajpar, M.N. & Zakaria, M. (2014). Effects of Habitat Characteristics on Waterbird Distribution and Richness in Wetland Ecosystem of Malaysia. Journal of Wildlife and Parks 28, 105-120
- Sodhi, N.S., Briffett, C., Lee, B.P.Y-H. & Subaraj, R. (1999). An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplements (6), 125-130
- Suis, M.A.F., Miun, J., Tingkoi, L. & Nilus, R. (2019). Inventory of terrestrial mammals and birds in Sungai Pin Conservation Area, Kinabatangan. Sepilok Bulletin. 28, 49-68. http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/docs/frc/Sepilok%20Bulletin%20Vol%2028%20(2019).pdf
- Azman, N.M., Abdul Latip, N.S., Shahrul Anuar, M.S., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Ahmad, A. & Shafie, N.J. (2014). Diversity and Temporal Distribution of Birds in Rice-Growing Landscape, Northern Peninsular Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana 43 (4), 513-520. http://www.ukm.my/jsm
Book
- Field Guide to the Waterbirds of ASEAN, 2018. ASEAN-Korea Environmental Cooperation Unit (AKECU), South Korea. pp. 300.
- Guidebook to the Biodiversity of Linting wetlands, 2015. Wetlands International, Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
- Island Life: A Natural History of Pulau Tengah, Johor, Malaysia, 2018. WS Lifestyle, Singapore. pp. 163.
- MNS Bird Conservation Council. 2015. A Checklist of the Birds of Malaysia Second Edition. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Nature Society - Bird Conservation Council, Malaysia. pp. 60.
- Perbadanan Putrajaya & Urban Birding Putrajaya. (2021). A Photographic Guide Book Birds of Putrajaya Malaysia. Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 128.
- Abd. Latif, M., Mohti, A., Samsudin, M. & Parlan, I. (2020). Malaysia's Tropical Rainforests - Splendour To Behold. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 212.
- Abdul Rahman, A.R., Koh, H.L., Muhamad, A., Wan Yusof, W.K. & Latiff, A. (2011). Hutan Simpan Melaka: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal, Kepelbagaian Biologi dan Socio-ekonomi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 315.
- Akashah, M., Noordin, N., Kasim, A. & Dzahiri, F. (2012). Bird Map Putrajaya Lake and Wetland: UNECO - IHP Ecohydrology Programme. Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 120.
- Asyraf, M., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shahrul Anuar, M.S. & Rahmad, Z. (2015). Pictorial Guide To The Plant and Bird Life of Byram Mangrove Forest, Penang. Penerbit USM, Malaysia. pp. 190.
- Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K.B. (1982). The Birds of Africa, Volume 1. Academic Press, London. pp. 521.
- Davison, G.W.H. & Chew, Y. F. (1995). A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. New Holand Ltd. pp. 144.
- del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (1992). Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, Spain. pp. 696.
- Flint, V., Boehmer, L., Kostin, Y.V. & Kuznetsov, A.A. (1984). A field guide to birds of the USSR. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
- Gumal, M.T., Hon, J. & Kong, D. (2008). Birds and Bats of Loagan Bunut National Park Sarawak, Malaysia, Issue/No. 11. Peat Swamp Forest Project, UNDP/GEF Funded (MAL/99/G31) in collaboration with the Sarawak Forest Department and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Malaysia. pp. 1-105.
- Hazebroek, H.P., Adlin, T.Z. & Sinun, W. (2011). Danum Valley: The Rain Forest. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Malaysia. pp. 615.
- Ilias, R., Aminurddin Ahmad, M., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Abidin, F.A.Z. (2007). Avifauna: Kuala Gula, Perak: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
- Ismail, A., Faid, R, Ilias, R. & Yasak, M.N. (2010). The Adaptability of Released Milky Stork in Kuala Gula, Perak. Faculty of Science, Biology Dept., UPM and the Department of Wildlife and National Park, Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 62.
- Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohamad Rufino, B.M. (2007). Avifauna: Paya Indah Wetlands: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
- James, G., Mendis, T. & David, L. (2012). 2nd Edition Migratory Birds of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. pp. 92.
- Kushlan, J.A. & Hancock, J.A. (2005). The Herons. Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K.
- Maimon, A. (2008). Biodiversity of Sungai Pulai: Ramsar Site, Johor. Earth Observation Centre, Malaysia. pp. 97.
- Myers, S. (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo. Simon Papps, Singapore. pp. 272.
- Rajendran, S. & Jeyarajasingam, A. (2021). Malaysian Birds - A Glimpse. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Malaysia. pp. 1-335.
- Rosla, M. (2014). Burung-burung di Semenanjung Malaysia: Hak Milik Kita yang Terlepas Pandang, Volume 1. Red Door To Hunt, Malaysia. pp. 369.
- Rosla, M. (2014). Burung-burung di Semenanjung Malaysia: Hak Milik Kita Yang Terlepas Pandang, Volume 2. Red Door To Hunt, Malaysia. pp. 359.
- Chan, K.S & See, C.M (2020). Coastal Mangrove Birds of Bagan Datuk, Perak. Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pp. 80.
- Shaharuddin, M.I., Azahar, M., Razani, U., Kamaruzaman, A.B., Lim, K.L., Suhaili, R., Jalil, M.S. & Latiff, A. (2005). Sustainable Management of Matang Mangroves: 100 Years and Beyond. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 531.
- Sibley, C.G. & Monroe, B.L. (1993). A supplement to 'Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World'. Yale University Press, New Haven, United States of America.
- Sibley, C.G. & Monroe, B.L. (1990). Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press, New Haven, United States of America.
- Strange, M. (2000). A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Malaysia & Singapore including Southeast Asia, The Philippines and Borneo. Eric Oey, Singapore. pp. 398.
Online
- BirdLife International. 2019. Ardea alba (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22697043A155465940. Retrieved July 15, 2021, from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22697043A155465940.en
- Di Dario, F.IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved November 30, 2016, from http://www.iucnredlist.org
Report
- Laporan Inventori Hidupan Liar Putrajaya 2019. Kementerian Air, Tanah dan Sumber Asli (KATS) dan Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Semenanjung Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
- Report On Habitat And Ecological Research After Wavebreaker Project At Tanjung Piai Johor National Park. Perbadanan Taman Negara (Johor), Malaysia.
Publications
Acknowledgements :- Mr. Abdul Razak Mohd Nor Rasid, Mr. Ahmad Amir Firdaus Bin Mad Apandi, Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Ms. Ajla Rafidah Baharom, Mr. Allen Jeyarajasingam, Mrs. Aziemah Binti Kinan, Ms. Mira Farzana Binti Mohamad Mokhtar, Ms. Norayuni Binti Ramlee, Mrs. Nur Hazwanie Binti Abd Halim, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin
Photo credit :- M. Rajendran & Nur Athirah Binti Fauzi
Species Citation :- Ardea alba. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/52401. [Retrieved 24 September 2023].
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