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.
Credit: Robin Riggs
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now - Protected
CLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable
At the Aquarium
This species is commonly seen foraging in waters near the Aquarium. The Aquarium’s snowy egret Merlin lives in Shorebird Sanctuary outdoors on the second floor.
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
This species is commonly seen foraging in waters near the Aquarium. The Aquarium’s snowy egret Merlin lives in Shorebird Sanctuary outdoors on the second floor.
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.