Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
- Color: Pure white feathers, black bill, black legs
- Feet: Bright yellow “golden slippers”
- Size: 22–26 in (56–66 cm)
- Wingspan: 38–41 in (97–104 cm)
- Weight: 13 oz (370 g)
- Lifespan: 15–17 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Snowy Egret is one of North America’s most elegant and easily recognized wading birds. With snow-white plumage, jet-black legs, and bright yellow feet, this bird stands out in marshes, shorelines, and wetlands. Once nearly wiped out for its feathers, it rebounded thanks to modern conservation efforts.
Identification
Snowy Egrets are medium-sized herons with:
- Bright white plumage
- Thin black bill
- Black legs with yellow feet
- Colorful facial skin that turns reddish during breeding
They also show stunning wispy plumes during the breeding season.
Range & Habitat
Found throughout much of the Americas, especially:
- Coastal marshes
- Mudflats & estuaries
- Wetlands & freshwater ponds
- Mangroves & tidal creeks
Their range extends across the U.S. coasts, southern states, Mexico, and parts of Central America.
Diet
Snowy Egrets are active hunters with creative feeding techniques:
- Small fish
- Shrimp
- Crustaceans
- Insects & frogs
- Snails & aquatic invertebrates
Nesting
These egrets nest in colonies, often alongside other herons and ibises:
- Clutch: 2–6 eggs
- Incubation: ~24 days
- Fledge: 20–25 days
Nests are platform-like structures built from sticks and reeds in trees or shrubs near water.
Behavior
Snowy Egrets use active foraging behaviors such as foot-stirring, wing-shadowing, and quick dashes to flush prey. They are agile flyers with graceful movements and often found in groups.
Conservation Status
Least Concern today, though populations were once threatened by plume hunting in the 1800s. Modern protections helped the species recover dramatically.
FAQ
Why do Snowy Egrets have yellow feet?
The bright yellow feet help attract fish and other prey, acting like “lures.”
Where is the best place to see Snowy Egrets?
Look in coastal marshes, mudflats, wetlands, and estuaries, especially in the southern U.S.
Are Snowy Egrets endangered?
Not today — they are protected and doing well, but they were once heavily hunted for feathers.
Do Snowy Egrets migrate?
Some migrate short distances, especially birds from northern areas moving south for winter.
