Great Egret

The Great Egret is a large, entirely white heron found across much of the world's warmer regions. Outside the breeding season it is distinguished from smaller white egrets by its greater size, long yellow bill, and black legs and feet. During breeding the bill can darken, the lower legs may become lighter, and long ornamental plumes develop across the back. In flight it retracts the neck into a pronounced fold, a heron trait that separates it from storks and cranes flying with necks extended. (Wikipedia, general species account)

Great Egrets stalk slowly through shallow water or stand still before striking at fish, frogs, other amphibians, crayfish, snakes, mice and insects. They also forage in drier places when prey is available. Breeding birds form colonies, commonly in trees near large wetlands and reedbeds. A stick nest lined with vegetation may hold as many as six bluish-green eggs; both parents incubate for 23–26 days and feed the young. The species occurs widely in Asia, Africa, the Americas and southern Europe. (Wikipedia, general species account)