A small white egret with golden "slippers" (yellow feet) used to stir up prey in shallow water. Plume hunting in the late 1800s nearly drove this species to extinction — its recovery launched the modern American conservation movement.

Native status: Native; recovered

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 76–104 cm (30–41 in); wingspan 1.0–1.1 m
Weight370 g (13 oz)
LifespanWild typically 5 years; oldest documented 22
OrderPelecaniformes
FamilyArdeidae

§ Encyclopedia

The snowy egret is a small white heron. The genus name comes from Provençal French for the little egret, aigrette, which is a diminutive of aigron, 'heron'. The species name thula is the Mapudungun term for the black-necked swan, applied to this species in error by Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782.

Source: Wikipedia — Snowy egret Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Slender all-white heron with black bill, yellow lores, bright yellow feet.

Similar species. Great Egret (larger). Cattle Egret (smaller).

Voice. Generally silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small fish, frogs, crayfish, insects. "Foot stirring" forager.

Behavior. Active forager — chases fish with rapid steps.

§ Range

Throughout the Americas from northern US to Argentina

§ Habitat

Coastal estuaries, salt marshes, freshwater wetlands

§ Threats

Wetland loss, oil spills, climate-driven sea-level rise, plastic pollution in rookeries.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the snowy egret is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Reduce nutrient runoff to coastal waters. Pick up shoreline trash. Support coastal wetland restoration.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • IUCN Red List 2018