Herons, Egrets

Snowy Egret, Egretta thula

Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets)

Size: 24"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Open water, marshes, swamps

The snowy egret is all white with lacy plumes across the back in breeding season. The bill is slim and black, and the legs are black with bright-yellow feet. The juvenile has greenish legs with a yellow stripe along the front. The snowy egret forages for fish and frogs along the shore by moving quickly, shuffling to stir up prey, which it then stabs with its bill. Sometimes it may run to pursue its prey. The name of this bird can be remembered by keeping in mind that it wears yellow “boots” because it is cold or “snowy.” The breeding adult is illustrated.