adult; no sexual dimorphism (California, USA; 2007-01-20)


Snowy Egret
Egretta thula

Native Range: North America and Latin America

Notes: a small elegant egret with distinctive yellow 'slippers' contrasting with black legs; often flocks; builds stick nests in colonies; uses a variety of fishing techniques, such as shuffling its feet to stir up prey, actively chasing fish, and aggitating the water to attract fish. In the late 1800's, this species was nearly extirpated in North America from over-harvesting of its plumes which were used in ladies' hats; now a common and familiar inhabitant of shorelines, estuaries and marshes.


black legs, yellow feet (California, USA; 2007-01-07)
black bill, yellow lores (California, USA; 2006-02-11)

some yellow on legs when not breeding (California, USA; 2006-07-15)
showing off breeding plumes (California, USA; 2007-05-20)

catching sculpin fish (California, USA; 2006-04-16)
yellow 'slipper's (California, USA; 2006-07-15)

actively chasing fish (California, USA; 2010-04-18)
aggitating water to attract fish (California, USA; 2011-09-05)

intimidating a rival (California, USA; 2006-04-16)
casting a shadow (California, USA; 2009-06-28)

acting stately (California, USA; 2008-01-13)
acting less stately; showing plumes (California, USA; 2010-04-18)

head folded back on shoulders in flight (California, USA; 2007-01-20)
group hanging out (California, USA; 2007-03-04)

coming in for a landing (California, USA; 2007-04-16)
posing for portrait (California, USA; 2006-03-26)