# Snowy Egret (*Egretta thula*) The Snowy Egret is a beautiful white bird with long legs and a slender neck. It loves to hunt for fish and can often be seen wading in shallow waters. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 91 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Snowy Egret](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aigrette_neigeuse.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike Baird, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aigrette_neigeuse.jpg) ## Appearance The Snowy Egret has stunning pure white plumage with a slender black bill and long, black legs. Its most distinctive feature is its bright yellow feet, which contrast sharply with its dark legs and body. During breeding season, it grows delicate, lacy plumes on its head, neck, and back. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Pelecaniformes - **Family:** Ardeidae - **Genus:** Egretta ## Interesting facts - A group of egrets is called a 'congregation' or a 'colony' when nesting together! - Snowy Egrets build their messy stick nests high in trees or shrubs, often with other wading birds! - Wow! These birds were nearly hunted to extinction for their beautiful feathers in the 19th century! - Young Snowy Egrets are born helpless and need their parents to bring them food. ## Special abilities - **Foot Wiggle Dance:** Snowy Egret can stir its bright yellow feet in shallow water to flush out hidden fish and other prey for an easier catch. - **Lightning Lunge:** Snowy Egret can rapidly extend its neck and jab its sharp bill at unsuspecting aquatic prey with incredible speed and accuracy. - **Feather Flare:** Snowy Egret has specialized plumes that become extra fluffy during courtship, helping attract mates with a grand display. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 56-66 cm - **Wingspan:** 100-107 cm - **Weight:** 0.35-0.45 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 42 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 20-24 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding Snowy Egrets are expert fishers, but they also eat many other small creatures found in the water. - **Primary Foods:** small fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs, worms, lizards - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Mosquitofish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-mosquitofish) (*Gambusia holbrooki*) — A small fish frequently caught in shallow waters. - **Eats:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Opportunistically preys on egret eggs, chicks, or even adults. - **Symbiotic with:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Often nests in mixed colonies, sharing resources and protection. - **Shelter:** Live Oak (*Quercus virginiana*) — Builds nests in the branches of these sturdy coastal trees. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Snowy Egret? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Snowy Egret? 56-66 cm ### What is Snowy Egret's wingspan? 100-107 cm ### How much does Snowy Egret weigh? 0.35-0.45 kg ### How long does Snowy Egret live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Snowy Egret move? 42 km/h ### What does Snowy Egret eat? Snowy Egrets are expert fishers, but they also eat many other small creatures found in the water. ### Where is Snowy Egret usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Brunswick Old Town Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brunswick-old-town-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Compo–Owenoke Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/compo-owenoke-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District [View all places to see Snowy Egret](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/snowy-egret) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Snowy Egret: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snowy-egret)