Great Egret, also known as Common Egret or Great White Heron

This feather is a pristine white secondary from a Great Egret, a large, elegant wading bird. The Great Egret is nearly the size of a Great Blue Heron but with all-white plumage, a yellow bill, and black legs/feet. During breeding season, they develop long, delicate plumes called aigrettes.

Uniformly brilliant white on both dorsal and ventral surfaces; the rachis is also white, blending seamlessly into the barbs.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked throughout the majority of the vane, transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy) at the very base near the calamus.

Smooth, matte surface with a slightly waxy or waterproof feel; the vane is relatively stiff but flexible enough for slow, rhythmic flight.

Pure white coloration, broad asymmetrical vane, rounded tip, and a lack of the dark tips found in White Ibis primaries.

Freshwater and saltwater wetlands, including marshes, swamps, lake shores, tidal flats, and estuaries.

Widespread across most of the Americas, southern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania; many populations are partial migrants moving south for winter.

Top predator in wetland ecosystems, feeding on fish, frogs, and aquatic insects; their presence indicates healthy wetland water quality.

White Ibis (distinguished by black wing tips), Snowy Egret (smaller size), and Cattle Egret (smaller and often shows buff coloration on crown/back).

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Great Egrets were nearly hunted to extinction to provide feathers for the 'plume trade' in women's fashion. This inspired the birth of the conservation movement and the National Audubon Society.

Good condition with some minor 'zipper' separation of the barbs at the trailing edge; no visible fault bars or parasite damage.

Ibis or egret