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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.

Snowy egret

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.