This is a great egret. Some of you might have guessed that this bird is a heron. There is not a lot of difference between egrets and herons, so we will give you credit for that answer! In fact, they are even from the same family. Egrets and herons live in warm, tropical areas near water. They can be identified by their long necks, which are "S" shaped when the bird is standing and flying. Egrets, like herons, are very large birds. The great egret pictured below can reach almost 4 feet tall while standing! Egrets can be found waiting patiently by a marsh or river, watching the water in complete stillness. When the egret spots a fish, it dives its head into the water in one quick motion, and more often than not, pulls its head out with one big fish!