Home> Animals > Birds > Shorebirds Submit Your Photo Slide Show No 21 Of 23 Prev    Next Snowy-Egret  Publish Date : 21-12-2007 Hits : 142 Rating : Not rated The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is a small white heron. It is the American counterpart to the very similar Old World Little Egret, which has established a foothold in the Bahamas. Adults are typically 61 cm long and weigh 375 g. They have a slim black bill and long black legs with yellow feet. The area of the upper bill, in front of the eyes, is yellow but turns red during the breeding season, when the adults also gain recurved plumes on the back, making for a "shaggy" effect. The juvenile looks similar to the adult, but the base of the bill is paler, and a green or yellow line runs down the back of the legs. The birds eat fish, crustaceans, and insects. They stalk prey in shallow water, often running or shuffling their feet, flushing prey into view, as well "dip-fishing" by flying with their feet just over the water. Snowy Egrets may also stand still and wait to ambush prey, or hunt for insects stirred up by domestic animals in open fields. In warmer locations, some Snowy Egret are permanent residents; northern populations migrate to Central America and the West Indies. Picture taken near Santa Clara, Panama Rate This Photo 5 - Best4321 Add Your Comment Your Name * Your Comment * Enter Validation Code * Prev    Next