Any of various wading birds of the genera Egretta or Ardea that includes herons, many of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season.
A plume or tuft of feathers worn as a part of a headdress, or anything imitating such an ornament.
The flying feathery or hairy crown of seeds or achenes, such as the down of the thistle.
Ardea cinerea, an Old World wading bird of the heron family.