A member of the heron family, the snowy egret has a slim black bill and long black legs
with yellow feet. They are about two feet long with wingspans of three feet. We found
this one foraging for food in Woodglen Vista Creek near Mast Boulevard.
The cheek area in front of the eyes is yellow but turns red during breeding
season, when they regrow fancy plumes that give them a shaggy look. They range
from the lower Great Lakes and southwestern U.S. to South America.
They can be found in fresh or saltwater habitats located inland
or along the coastline in marshes, swamps, shorelines, mudflats and ponds. They
eat fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs and small reptiles.
