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Aquarium of the Pacific - A Non-profit Organization

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

Snowy egrets, wading birds, are medium-sized egrets with a delicate build. They are in the family of herons and storks and are often referred to as medium-sized herons. Like most herons they have long necks, aids in probing in shallow waters for food.

Originally published: September 27, 2007
Last updated: June 12, 2024

Snowy egret

Credit: Robin Riggs

SPECIES IN DETAIL

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now - Protected

CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable

Geographic Distribution

US range: throughout the continental United States from northern California to Maine, and south to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

Diet

These birds are omnivores. Their main diet consists of worms, aquatic and terrestrial insects, small lizards, fiddler crabs, shrimps, crayfish, crustaceans, snails, vegetation, and fishes.

Longevity

Estimated life span is 2 to 16 years. They have lived to over 16 years in protected environments.

SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now - Protected

CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable

US range: throughout the continental United States from northern California to Maine, and south to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

These birds are omnivores. Their main diet consists of worms, aquatic and terrestrial insects, small lizards, fiddler crabs, shrimps, crayfish, crustaceans, snails, vegetation, and fishes.

Estimated life span is 2 to 16 years. They have lived to over 16 years in protected environments.