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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Snowy Egret

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Name

Snowy Egret

Scientific Name

(Egretta thula)

Why they are special:
  • One of Florida’s most elegant and active wading birds, instantly recognizable by its slender black bill, black legs, and bright yellow feet.

  • Famous for its energetic foraging style, often stirring water or chasing fish with rapid steps.
Size and color:
  • Medium heron, 24 inches long with a wingspan of 41 inches.

  • All white plumage, long black legs, bright yellow feet, and slender black bill.

  • Breeding adults display long, wispy plumes on head, neck, and back.
Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round resident along coasts, estuaries, and wetlands.
Habitat:
  • Salt marshes, tidal flats, shallow lagoons, mangroves, and sandy shores.

  • Often seen actively feeding in shallow water along the edges of bays or tidal flats.
Diet:
  • Feeds on small fish, crustaceans, insects, and amphibians, caught by walking, stirring, or chasing prey in shallow water.
Behavior:
  • Highly active foragers, often working in groups or mixed-species flocks with other herons and egrets.

  • Nests in colonies, frequently with other coastal wading birds in trees or shrubs.
Conservation notes:
  • Populations are stable, though habitat loss and disturbance can affect nesting colonies.
Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially during low tide in shallow coastal flats.
Fun Fact:
  • Snowy Egrets were once hunted for their beautiful plumes used in women’s hats, but populations have fully recovered since protections were enacted.
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