Life List 082
Visually documented
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
- First photographed
- June 24, 2026
- First location
- Utah, United States
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
An evolving study
Snowy Egret portfolio
This collection grows as I return to photograph new behavior, habitat, seasons, and stages of life.
Natural history
Species at a glance
Egretta thula
Overview
The Snowy Egret is an active small heron that runs, shuffles its bright feet, and uses its wings to startle prey in shallow water. Its ornate breeding plumes once made it a major target of the plume trade.
Identification
Entirely white with a slim black bill, black legs, and vivid yellow feet. Breeding adults develop long lacy back plumes, recurved head plumes, and colorful facial skin.
Range
Occurs widely from the United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Northern breeders migrate toward southern coastal and tropical regions.
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, shallow lake edges, tidal flats, mangroves, estuaries, lagoons, and flooded fields.
Diet
Small fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs, worms, and other aquatic animals.
Photography by Brittany Templin
Bring the story of the Snowy Egret into your project or space.
Continue exploring
Related encounters
077
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
016
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias