Bird · GBIF taxon 2480873
Egretta thula
egretta thulaAlso known as Snowy Heron, Little White Egret
Snowy egrets are active wetland hunters recognized by their stark white plumage, slender black bill, and bright yellow feet. They frequently shuffle their feet in shallow water or flick their wings to startle hidden fish and small crustaceans into view. During the breeding season, adults grow delicate, wispy plumes on their back and chest that were once heavily targeted by the millinery trade.
Wading BirdAquaticPlumage
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Minnows
- Grass Shrimp
- Fiddler Crabs
Predators
- American Alligator
- Great Horned Owl
- Raccoon
ThreatsWetland habitat destruction, coastal development, and water pollution
HabitatsFreshwater and saltwater marshes, coastal lagoons, mudflats, and lake shores
Life span15 to 20 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPelecaniformes
- FamilyArdeidae
- GenusEgretta
- Speciesegretta thula
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses a dagger-like bill capable of striking defensively when cornered or handled; keep a safe distance.
- What to notice
- Look for groups of white waders nesting collectively in dense coastal mangroves, island shrubs, or marsh trees.
- Support conservation
- Keep at least 100 meters away from active breeding colonies and avoid making sudden noise near nest sites.
Responsible observation
- Observe Foraging: Look along shallow shorelines to watch their energetic foot-stirring hunting technique.
- Rookery Etiquette: Maintain a generous distance from nesting islands to prevent adult birds from flushing off eggs.
Frequent Companion "Photo of the Week - Great Egret at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge" by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/. · cc0
Close Relative "Birds - Little Blue Heron by William Powell" by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southwest Region is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/. · cc0
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative "Tricolored Heron" by Andy Morffew is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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Ecosystem chain
Wetland Territory
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