With its snowy-white feathers, long, elegant neck, and slow, graceful wingbeats, the Great Egret (Ardea alba) is one of the Caribbean’s most striking waterbirds. Once nearly driven to extinction in the late 1800s by the global plume trade, this species has made a remarkable comeback thanks to strict protection and conservation efforts worldwide.

In Trinidad, the Caroni Swamp offers some of the most spectacular sightings, where egrets glide silently over mangrove-fringed lagoons at dusk. In Tobago, they frequent coastal wetlands, hidden estuaries, and tranquil bays, often seen wading patiently in shallow waters for fish and crustaceans.

For visitors, spotting a Great Egret in the wild is more than just a beautiful photo opportunity; it’s a glimpse into a living success story of resilience and the enduring elegance of the Caribbean’s natural heritage.