Egretta thula
L 24" (61 cm) W 41" (104 cm).

Song or calls:
No information.

more images

photo by Phil Swanson

Description: Sexes similar. Flies with neck tightly coiled back. Plumage always all white. Breeding adult has long filamentous plumes down back ending and curving outwards near tail; shorter straighter plumes on nape and over breast; slender daggerlike black bill; legs black, feet yellow. Winter adult has shorter plumes, usually not apparent. Immature lacks plumes; has yellow stripe in back of black legs; yellow feet. Non-breeding birds occur over a variety of habitats supporting fish.

Habitat: Mostly associated with marshy habitat with emergent reeds and sedges.

Where in Nebraska: Uncommon regular spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska. Becomming a rare migrant west. Uncommon regular summer visitor. Hypothetical breeder. In Nebraska, good chance of observing the Snowy Egret in the Rainwater Basin in late summer.

Status: Once extensively hunted for its plumes. Now protected, populations have recovered; range is expanding.

Fun Facts: While feeding in shallow areas of ponds and marshes, Snowy Egrets use one foot to stir up the bottom, flushing prey into view.