Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Heron, Egret, and Bittern Family (Ardeidae)
Snowy Egret is a medium-sized, white wading bird, reaching 2 ft long and a 3.5 ft wingspan. It has yellow eyes and lore, a long thin neck, a slim long pointed black bill, and black legs with yellow feet. Juvenile has legs with yellow-green on the backside and a bill with a pale area towards its base. During the breeding season, it has orangish red lores and feet and long lacy yellowish plumes along their head, neck, and back. It is mostly silent, but will make a call of a low croak or squawk or a bubbling wulla-wulla-wulla. Flies with neck coiled. Nests and roosts in large mixed species rookeries. Nesting occurs from March through August. Forages mostly in shallow waters by moving quickly or crouching and slowly stalking after prey. May be found throughout much of the US. Occurs in freshwater and saltwater wet areas, such as marshes, wet prairies, shallow ponds, swamps, and shallow coastal areas. They were hunted over a century ago for their plumes for woman’s hats. Also known as Snowy Heron, Little Plume Bird, Little Snowy, and Short White. Listed as Endangered in IL, MO, OH, & WI; Threatened in CT; Protected in ID; Species of Concern in AZ, FL, NC, NJ, OR, RI, & TN.
Copyright Brett Miley
