Michael Warren: Great Egret

Artist: Michael Warren
1938 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1986
Image Size: 14 by 12 inches
Overall Size: 16 by 14 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

The Great Egret, Egretta alba, is the tallest and largest of the white egrets. It has extremely long legs and neck. Its neck is longer than its body and is held in a distinctive kink. Great Egrets feed on mostly fish, but will also take amphibians (frogs), aquatic invertebrates (insects, crayfish), and reptiles (snakes). During the drier months the bird will stalk small mammals, snails and nesting birds. They are skilled hunters and stalk the shallow waters or mud flats, walking slowly or quickly with their strong neck coiled at ready. When suitable prey is spotted they straighten out the neck, to instantly snatch the prey. When fishing, they may tilt their heads to one side, possibly to avoid the glare of the sun's reflection on the water. Great Egrets may also use their feet to stir up the water and scare up a victim. During the breeding season both males and females develop a delicate cloak of long white feathers that extend over their backs. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries these feathers were in huge demand for hat decorations. Heavy hunting nearly drove the Great Egret to extinction before public outcry resulted in laws to protect the birds. The greatest threat to them today is destruction of their wetland habitat.

This artwork was originally published on a Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Birds of America Collection. Each Cover featured a State Wildlife Conservation Stamp designed by Michael Warren, issued by the National Audubon Society and postmarked on the First Day of Issue of each stamp which was also the anniversary of statehood for each state.

Artwork Copyright © 1986 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB10482

US$ Price: $2,000.00

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