Snowy Egret

(Egretta thula)

Where:St. Augustine, FL • Alligator Farm and Zoological Park

Notes: The Snowy Egret is typically differentiated from the Great Egret by its smaller size, of just over two feet high, when compared to the Great Egret that is almost four feet tall and has a yellow bill. But when there is no size comparison, the “Snowy’s” yellow feet are usually a solid identification mark. However throughout the breeding season, both the Snowy Egret’s facial skin and feet change color to red as part of their high breeding plumage to further accent their look. The males strut their stuff, showing off their elegant plumes, called aigrettes. These feathers were once an expensive commodity of the fashion industry, which over-harvesting endangered both species in the early 1900’s. They are back to being a common sight along shallow coastal wetlands, thanks to conservation and protection actions. They commonly breed in a colony called a rookery with various other species of egrets and herons. The male will choose a nest site and then try to attract a mate with loud calls and showy poses like this one. Snowy Egrets typically start their nest building and chick rearing a little later in the season than Great Egrets. They will lay three to six eggs that hatch after four weeks and fledge after a couple more.