What Am I?

I saw this animal yesterday during my morning hike in Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.  Use the clues to guess what it is.

I walk not on four legs but two
Which is the same way as do you

I can also fly through the sky
Which you can't do though you might try

My long legs which hold me upright
Also give a fair degree of height

Wading about is where I'm seen
Searching for prey with vision keen

I'll stab my prey with my sharp spear
Fish and frogs have plenty to fear

High in trees in a nest of sticks
Is where I raise my little chicks

For ladys' hats I once was killed
Long in the past, must say I'm thrilled

Spreading wings like an umbrella,
You might think me an odd fella

But shading the water from the sun
Makes it likely that lunch is done

One last clue so you'll get it right:
My feathers are a brilliant white

Okay,
enough
clues.
Scroll
D
O
W
N
for
the
answer.

In your guess, may you not regret
I'm an American egret!