Any of several herons with long tufts of feathers on the head or neck. They belong to the order Ciconiiformes.

The great white egret Egretta alba of southeastern Europe and other parts of the Old World, which grows to a length of 1 m/3 ft, develops snowy-white plumes, which were formerly used for ornaments. The little egret E. garzetta, 0.6 m/2 ft, is found in Asia, Africa, southern Europe, and Australia.