Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 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 Araucano term for the black-necked swan, applied to this species in error by Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782. The snowy egret is the American counterpart to the very similar Old World little egret, which has become established in the Bahamas. At one time, the plumes of the snowy egret were in great demand as decorations for women’s hats. They were hunted for these plumes and this reduced the population of the species to dangerously low levels. Now protected in the United States by law, under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, this bird’s population has rebounded. Adult snowy egrets are entirely white apart from the yellow lores between the long black bill and the eye, black legs, and bright yellow feet. The nape and neck bear long, shaggy plumes known as aigrettes. Immature snowy egrets have duller, greenish legs.
Measurements
Measurements:
- Length: 22.1–26.0 in (56–66 cm)
- Weight: 13.1 oz (370 g)
- Wingspan: 39.4 inches (100 cm)
Photo Gallery
HJ Ruiz – October 3rd, 2023
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
It is so pretty! Maggie
Thank you very much, Maggie… 🙂
A beautiful little bird!
Thank you, John… 🙂
I like the backlit photos 🙂
Thank you, BB! 🙂
Wonderful pics!
Thinking of you, H.J.!
What a surprise! i was wondering what are you into, at this time? I thought you had moved to Florida. No?… You have my email address, write me. Thanks! 🙂
The resemblance to our Little Egret is uncanny! Great pictures, H.J.
Dues it have black legs and yellow feet? This particular bird has that in order to distinguish from others egrets. Thank you very much, D. 🙂
The yellow feet are also the tell-tale feature we use to distinguish the Little Egret from the several other kinds of white egret of similar size that live in this part of the world, H.J.
Nice set of shots!
Thank you is much, Kathy! 🙂