Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

An all-white heron of the Americas with a black bill and bright yellow feet, famous for its lacy breeding plumes.

🪿 Wading Birds

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About the Snowy Egret

Snowy egrets live throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, in salt marshes, tidal channels, shallow bays and mangroves. They are 22 to 26 inches long with a wingspan of about 3 feet and weigh about 13 ounces. They are all white with a slender black bill, black legs and yellow feet. They eat mostly fish, plus crabs, shrimp, insects, worms and frogs.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Egretta thula^[1]
Size: 22 to 26 inches long, with a wingspan of about 3 feet.^[1]
Weight: About 13 ounces.^[1]
Lifespan: Usually 2 to 17 years; the oldest known lived almost 23.^[1]
Diet: Mostly fish and crustaceans, plus insects, worms, frogs, lizards and snakes.^[1]
Habitat: Salt marshes, tidal channels, shallow bays and mangroves.^[1]
Where it lives: North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2025).^[2]

Fun facts

A snowy egret's feet turn orange in breeding season.^[1]
It uses more ways to catch food than any other heron.^[1]
Breeding adults grow lacy plumes on the breast.^[1]

Vocabulary

egret: A kind of heron, usually white.
plume: A long, showy feather.
salt marsh: A coastal wetland flooded by salty tides.
lore: The area between a bird's eye and its beak.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumOmaha, Nebraska · Simmons Aviary and LagoonSee this area on the zoo's website ↗

Sources

[1] Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan. “Snowy egret (Egretta thula).” https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Egretta_thula/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Egretta thula (Snowy Egret).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22696974/281845566 (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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