Scientific Name: Ardea alba

Residency: Summers throughout Arizona, year-round in southwest corner.

Diet: Eats fish, amphibians, insects, reptiles and small mammals.

Predators: Eggs are preyed upon by American Crows, Steller?s Jays, Common Ravens and Boat-tailed Grackles. Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and Great Horned Owls prey upon eggs or young.

Nesting: Nest is flimsy platform of sticks, twigs and reeds, placed in a tree or shrub 8-40 ft. above ground, may be placed in cattails 1-4 ft. above water. Eggs: 1-6 per clutch, pale bluish green, 1 brood per year.

Nesting Records:

Notes: They have greeting ceremonies between pairs including bill clacking and calls.

Photo: Taken at the Riparian Preserve at the Gilbert Water Ranch on November 18, 2006.

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