Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula )

The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula ) is the smallest in the heron family ( Ardeidae ).

The Snowy Egret has a size of about 56 to 66 centimeters. Its wingspan is about 100 centimeters. There is no difference in size between males and females. The plumage color is the same. The plumage is snowy white. Their long narrow beaks and legs are black; the feet have a pale yellow color. During the breeding season, Snowy Egret carry on the back long fringed ornamental feathers, which gave its name to the bird. Between the eyes and the beak of a yellow zone, which turns reddish in the breeding season. Also the feet change color to an orange tone.

Snowy Egret nesting usually in March or early April in large colonies in marshes or along coastlines and lakes, often along with other species of herons and waders. Your shallow nests they create on trees or shrubs. A clutch consists of three to four greenish blue eggs, which are incubated for a period of three to four weeks. In the business of breeding males and females change mutually.

In their search for food they wade through shallow water and prey on fish, frogs and toads, lizards and snakes. Also, earthworms, snails, shrimps and crustaceans will not despise.

The breeding areas of the jewelry heron found in North America. Small populations also breed in Canada and Alaska. In winter, he moved to Central and South America and inhabited preferred shallow bays and mangroves. Other winter roosts are located in the Caribbean.

Snowy Egret and human

Snowy Egret were at the end of the 19th century and threatened enormously in their collections in the early 20th century. For the production of elegant ladies' hats that were decorated with feathers, thousands of the birds were shot down. A timely ban kept the snowy egret from extinction. Today Snowy Egret are numerously be found.

Inside systematics

So far, two subspecies have been described, which differ in coloration or vocal. Together with the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta ) (Linnaeus, 1766 ) of the Snowy Egret is often classified as a super species.