This is the largest Australian white heron. The turquoise lores and black bill indicate that this bird is breeding.

In proportion to the their body the Great Egret has the longest neck of the Australian found Egrets.

When not breeding the eyes, lore and bill are all yellow. The yellow bill also has a black tip. The legs are always brown.

They feed by striking and seizing their prey of fish, crustaceans, amphibians or insects. They are usually solitary stalking prey in shallow water.

They can be found in shallows, mudflats, wetlands, mangroves, reefs, irrigated pastures and sewerage ponds.