Identification Photos: Snowy Egret, Egretta thula: The Snowy Egret is a medium-sized heron with a delicate build that is a member of the Ardeidae Family which are known in Mexico as garcetas. They have an entirely white plumage, a long slender black bill, and long slender black legs with bright yellow feet. They have yellow eyes and the area of the upper bill, in front of the eyes (the lores) is yellow but turns red during the breeding season when the adults also gain recurved plumes on the back making for a "shaggy" effect, and the feet change in color from yellow to orange.

The juveniles look similar to the adults, but the base of the bill is paler, and a green or yellow line runs down the back of the legs. The males are slightly larger than the females. They are 22 to 27 inches in length, have wingspans of 38 to 45 inches, and weigh less than a pound. They prefer an environment of shallow water inlets for feeding purposes which include salt-marsh pools, tidal channels, shallow bays, and mangroves with stable and abundant food sources. They have broad diets consisting of 75 percent fish and 25 percent crustaceans. Snowy Egrets primarily feed during the early morning and evening hours and spend most of their days resting. Their flight is buoyant with a steady fast wing beat; they are not capable of swimming.

The Snowy Egret is most prevalent throughout Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is a partially migratory species, relocating from northern habitats within the United States and Canada to winter locations in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Northward migrations occur in early March. Southerly migrations occur in September. In warmer locations the Snowy Egret is year-round permanent resident.

Breeding occurs in March and early April with the female building nests from woven twigs and small sticks in isolated, estuarine habitats that are located either on the ground or as high as 30 feet in trees. The nests are defended by the males.

The Snowy Egret is a highly social nester, building nests close to other egrets or herons. Females lay 3 to 6 pale, greenish blue colored eggs. Incubation is conducted by both parents and lasts 22 to 26 days. The chicks usually fledge 14 days after hatching. Young reach sexual maturity in 1 to 2 years.

During the first year the young have a 70 percent mortality rate. The young are killed by nematode parasitism, starvation, and inclement weather.

The normal life span of the Snowy Egret is 17 years. The Snowy Egret is a highly social bird that will not attack humans or disturb other birds. It is similar to and can be confused with the Juvenile Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea (gray lores) and the Little Egret, Egretta garzetta (larger with longer legs, bill and necks).

The Snowy Egret is prayed upon by racoons, owls, hawks and snakes. From a conservation perspective the Snowy Egret havs a limited impact on humans and a wide global distribution affording it “least concern” status. In the United States from 1880 to 1910, adult egrets were hunted to near extinction, being sold for their delicate back plumes which were used to decorate women's hats and clothing. In 1886, plumes were valued at $32 per ounce, which was twice the price of gold at the time. In 1916, under the United States Bird Migratory Act, the Snowy Egret became a protected species, which has allowed it to return to its previous levels of abundance. The major problem facing the Snowy Egret today is the loss of wetland habitat as it requires clean, undisturbed wetlands for feeding and breeding.

Snowy Egret, Egretta thula: Juvenile. A year-round resident of the Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Less than one year old. Photo taken in March 2007 in the San Jose River Lagoon. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.