Great Egret
Ardea alba

The largest of the egrets, this bird occurs from western Europe down to Australia and New Zealand. The taxonomic status of this bird is often in question. Several authorities regard it as being a heron (thus Ardea alba), some an egret (Egretta alba) and some in a genus of its own (Casmerodius albus). Added to this, some call it the Great Egret, others the Great White Egret and some split it into Eastern and Western species, too. Whichever way you look at it, it's still an impressive bird.
 

 

1-3: Bicentennial Park, Sydney, 20/09/2009.