"Snowy Egret" (Egretta thula)

	Snowy Egret at Lake Eola Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Snowy Egret at Lake Eola Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Snowy Egret at Lake Eola Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost
	Photograph by © Snow W. Frost

The Snowy Egret has a white body; black bill; black legs with bright yellow feet. During breeding, the feet and facial skin in front of the eye turn orange or red. It aggressively defends nest and feeding sites with calls, displays such as raising crest, and fights. It has diverse foraging techniques: walking slowly or quickly, running or hopping, and using its feet to stir, rake, or probe food from bottom. Can vibrate bill in wter to attract fish.

The Snowy Egret is aften seen with other egrets. Snowy Egrets will actively hunt prey by moving around quickly, stirring up small fish and aquatic insects with its feet. It was hunted near extinction in the late 1800's for its feathers. The Snowy Egret is much smaller than Great Egret, which has black feet and yellow bill.





Size: 24"

Male: All-white bird with black bill and legs, and bright yellow feet. Long feather plumes on the head, neck and back during breeding season.

Female: Same as the male.

Nest: Platform; male and female build; 1 brood per year. Nest in large colonies of thousands, singly or with other herons in small colonies. Sticks and twigs compose a platform, which is placed on the ground or in tree or shrub 5-10 feet high.

Eggs: 3-5; light blue-green, unmarked.

Incubation: 20-24 days; female and male incubate.

Fledging: 28-30 days; male and female feed young.

Migration: Complete, Gulf coast and Mexico, inters in most of Florida

Food: Fish, shrimp, crabs, snakes, aquatic insects. It is very active in feeding, and often feeds in flocks and in aggregations with other species. Has diverse foraging techniques: walking slowly or quickly, running or hopping, and using its feet to stir, rake, or probe food from bottom. Can vibrate bill in wter to attract fish.

Voice: In breeding colonies, "wah-wah-wah"; during aggression a harsh "aah".

Habitat: Coastal areas, marshes, river valleys, lake edges.





My personal notes...
The Snowy Egret is one of my favorite birds, with its "golden" feet. So beautiful. I find that it is less patient than the Great Egret when hunting for fish...seems to walk faster and more noisey. Those beautiful yellow feet are exceptional to see when the bird is in flight.

***If you have a photo of this lighthouse, that you'd like to share...please email me.







"Bird Wonderland"
"Wonderland"

Copyright © 1999-2009 Snow W. Frost
All rights reserved.
Reproduction without permission is strictly forbidden.