Snowy Egret

Entirely white plumage. During the breeding season, adults develop long, delicate 'nuptial' plumes on the back, neck, and head. Lores (area between the bill and eyes) turn bright yellow to reddish-orange during courtship.

Black bill, black legs, bright yellow feet ('golden slippers'), and yellow lores.

Length: 22-26 in (56-66 cm); Wingspan: 39 in (100 cm); Weight: 13.1 oz (370 g)

Generally silent, but produces harsh croaks and bubbling sounds at nesting colonies.

Small fish, crustaceans, insects, and small reptiles. It uses its feet to stir up the bottom or flickers its wings to startle prey.

Salt marshes, mudflats, estuaries, ponds, and freshwater marshes.

Partial migrant. Northern populations migrate to the southern US and Central America, while southern populations are residents.

Nests in colonies (rookeries), often with other herons. Builds a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Lays 3-6 pale greenish-blue eggs.

Great Egret (much larger, yellow bill, black feet); Cattle Egret (shorter, thicker yellow bill, stockier build); Little Egret (Old World species, two long head plumes).

As a mid-level predator, it helps control populations of small fish and crustaceans. They are often indicators of wetland health.

Least Concern (Population increasing)

Look for them in marshes and mudflats. They are easily distinguished from larger egrets by their active 'dancing' movement as they stir up mud with their golden feet.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this bird was hunted to near extinction for its beautiful plumage used in the fashion industry for ladies' hats.