Quick answer
IUCN status: Least ConcernGreat Egret at a glance
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a bird in the family Ardeidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Papua. Diet: fish and other aquatic animals (piscivore), also frogs, snakes, insects and small mammals; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Ardea alba |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Cangak besar |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Observation records | Nusa Tenggara, Java, Papua |
| Taxonomic group | Pelecaniformes |
| GBIF records | 5,666 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 228 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — fish and other aquatic animals (piscivore), also frogs, snakes, insects and small mammals · BirdLife DataZone |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) — Feeding times also follow the tides; most active near dawn and dusk. · Eastern Great Egret - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group) |
In this guide (12)
What is the Great Egret?
Great Egret refers to Ardea alba, in the genus Ardea, family Ardeidae, and order Pelecaniformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.
What is known about the Great Egret?
The great egret is a widespread large white heron; compare body size, bill shape and leg colour with smaller egrets.
Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.
Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗
How many Indonesian records name the Great Egret?
When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 5,666 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
Where were observations reported?
Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara, Java, Papua. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.
Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
How can you observe the Great Egret?
Record the date, broad location, voice and visible plumage without approaching nests or young. A clear, distant photograph is more useful than disturbing a bird for a closer view. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.
Explore related animals
To explore this group further, compare Great Egret with Purple Heron, Pacific Reef Heron, Javan Pond-Heron. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.
Scientific classification of the Great Egret
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | Ardea alba |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Great Egret
What is the scientific name of the Great Egret?
The scientific name of the Great Egret is Ardea alba, in the family Ardeidae and the order Pelecaniformes. In Indonesian it is called Cangak besar.
What kind of animal is the Great Egret?
The Great Egret is a bird in the family Ardeidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a fish and other aquatic animals (piscivore), also frogs, snakes, insects and small mammals.
Where does the Great Egret live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Great Egret summarised in this guide mainly come from Nusa Tenggara, Java, Papua. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Great Egret eat?
The Great Egret is a fish and other aquatic animals (piscivore), also frogs, snakes, insects and small mammals. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: BirdLife DataZone.
How does the Great Egret reproduce?
The Great Egret reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the Great Egret nocturnal?
The cited source records the Great Egret as diurnal (active by day). Feeding times also follow the tides; most active near dawn and dusk. Source: Eastern Great Egret - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Great Egret?
Scientific classification of the Great Egret: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Pelecaniformes, family Ardeidae, genus Ardea, species Ardea alba.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Great Egret endangered?
No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Great Egret is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the Great Egret protected in Indonesia?
Is the Great Egret protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 228).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the Great Egret be kept as a pet?
No. Because the Great Egret is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- BirdLife DataZone ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- Eastern Great Egret - Herons of the World, HeronConservation (IUCN SSC Heron Specialist Group) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Great Egret (Ardea alba). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/ardea-alba/