The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a member of the heron family Ardeidae in the genus Ardea. The Ardeidae, who are closer cousins of pelicans and belong to the Pelecaniformes, are often grouped with storks in the Ciconiiformes. The great egret is the largest of the white herons. It is a solitary and territorial feeder that hunts in water up to 30 cm deep, which is deeper than other herons. There, it frequently crouches slightly and stretches its neck to the side, holding the head horizontally, maybe to balance glare. Moreover, hunting Great egrets are masters of the wait-and-watch strategy, freezing motionless for long intervals and then stalking slowly and deliberately. Source
