Great Egret in Water in Central Park

Great Egret in Water in Central Park

The pristinely white Great Egret gets even more dressed up for the breeding season. A patch of skin on its face turns neon green at the onset of breeding in mature birds as you can see in this picture. Bills of reproductive mature individuals change from dull, streaked yellow to bright orange. Long plumes called aigrettes grow from its back which is not shown on this image.