This month, let's learn about the Snowy Egret, a graceful wading bird that's frequently seen in the Sacramento Valley. Snowy Egrets are found in North America, Central America, South America, and in the Caribbean. A previous Kids’ Corner article featured a larger, local egret species called the Great Egret. Egrets are all members of the heron family. The name egret has been given to herons that are white and have decorative plumes. Other species in the heron family that can be found in the Sacramento Valley are the Cattle Egret, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Green Heron, and American Bittern. Some Snowy Egrets are permanent residents of their areas and others are long-distance migrants that move to warmer areas for the winter.

Snowy Egrets at one time were nearly extinct. In the 1800’s, they were hunted for their feathers (or plumes) to use to decorate ladies’ hats. One source reported that the elegant plumes of the Snowy Egret were valued at $32 per ounce. This is more than gold was sold for at the time! The population of Snowy Egrets was severely affected because the demand for their plumes was greater than those of the Great Egret. Thankfully, the population of Snowy Egrets has come back strong due to both legal protections and education.

What does the Snowy Egret look like?

Snowy Egrets are around two feet tall, which is in-between Great Egrets that are about three feet tall and Cattle Egrets which are around one and a half feet tall. Snowy Egrets are entirely white except for a yellow area of skin called a lore in front of their yellow eyes. They also have long, slender black bills, long, black legs, and yellow or greenish-yellow feet. Male and female birds look exactly alike; but males are slightly larger. Young Snowy Egrets look similar to adult birds except that their legs are light-green and the base of their bills can be gray.

In the nesting season, adult Snowy Egrets develop long, lacy, flowing feathers or plumes that curve along their necks and backs and drape over their sides. These plumes are also called aigrettes. During this time, they also develop shaggy, spike-like head feathers which form a crest. In addition, the yellow skin patch around their eyes changes to a reddish color and their feet turn to a deep yellow-orange. 

Where does the Snowy Egret live?

Snowy Egrets are found near marshes, wet agricultural fields, swamps, ponds, river and lake edges, and estuaries (locations where the ocean connects with a river or stream). They are often seen in protected coastal areas. Snowy Egrets readily accept the presence of other wading birds in their immediate environment, both when they roost or hunt. 

Snowy Egret pairs often build nests in large trees or shrubs surrounded by water. Sometimes, they will even build nests close to the ground in marsh grasses. When nesting sites are surrounded by water, Snowy Egrets are able to hear approaching predators moving in the water and are alerted to fly to safety. There are usually many Snowy Egrets that roost in the same tree or group of trees, forming a colony. A single tree can be the nesting site for different species of herons. With herons, different species all live together in harmony. 

The nests of Snowy Egrets are built fairly flat or ‘platform’ style. Nest placement ranges from 5-30 feet high and are usually positioned at the top of a tree or the outer part of a side limb. Males select the nest site and often will start to build a nest. When a female joins the male, she will often finish building the nest and the male will bring her nesting materials to use. Snowy Egret nests are made of loosely woven twigs, sticks, moss, and grass. After the female lays eggs in the nest, both parents take turns incubating the eggs (sitting on eggs and keeping them warm). After hatching, young birds will start to leave the nest in 19-25 days and will start flying soon after that. 

 What does a Snowy Egret eat?

Snowy Egrets look for food near water because they prefer fish and other aquatic animals. Occasionally, they will search for food in dry fields. Obtaining food is a fairly easy task for Snowy Egrets due to their long legs, long necks, and the ability to catch prey swiftly with their sharp bills. When foraging (or searching) for food, snowy Egrets often are seen alone. Sometimes they will be found in small groups, especially when a food source in a certain area is abundant. Snowy Egrets will eat many different types of food. Their diet includes small fish, tadpoles, frogs, snails, crabs, shrimp, crayfish, insects, earthworms, lizards, and squid.

Snowy Egrets have several different hunting techniques. They often remain totally still in shallow water and quickly catch prey that comes close to them. In contrast, they may hunt more actively, flapping their wings while chasing their prey. Snowy Egrets use their thick, leathery toes and feet to stir and rake up prey from the water bottom. They are sometimes seen hovering close over the water surface, spearing fish with their bills. Snowy Egrets also catch insects that are attracted to ocean debris washed up on a shore.

Both Snowy Egret parents feed their hatchlings (baby birds) partially digested food that they regurgitate (bring up again to the mouth). The parents will continue with this method of feeding for a few days until their young are able to eat pieces of solid food.

What does a Snowy Egret sound like?

Snowy Egrets can be quiet when they are foraging for food. However, when they are in their rookeries (nesting colonies) they can be quite loud. Their call has been described as a hoarse, raspy croak and has a slightly higher pitch than the call of the Great Egret. You can listen to the Snowy Egret below:

These calls of the Snowy Egret are from xeno-canto. More Snowy Egret vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Egretta-thula.