Birds
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula · also called snowy egrets
Shuffling its bright yellow feet through shallow water, a snowy egret flushes hidden prey into the open before striking with precision, a hunting trick that earned those distinctive feet the nickname golden slippers.
Overview
The snowy egret, Egretta thula, is a slender, entirely white egret native to wetland and coastal habitat across the Americas. Its distinctive foot-stirring hunting technique, bright yellow golden-slipper feet, and history of near-collapse from plume hunting followed by a strong recovery make it one of the most behaviourally active and historically significant egrets found anywhere in the Americas.
Hunting on the move
While many herons rely on patience and stillness, the snowy egret takes the opposite approach, actively running and stirring the water with its feet to startle prey into revealing itself.
Status
Least Concern, having recovered substantially since the end of the plume trade and remaining widespread across suitable wetland and coastal habitat throughout the Americas.
Snowy Egret: common questions
Why are the snowy egret's feet called golden slippers?
This species has bright yellow feet contrasting sharply with black legs, a distinctive combination that birdwatchers have long nicknamed golden slippers, useful for identification even at a distance.
How does the snowy egret's hunting style differ from other herons?
This species hunts with a notably active and energetic style, running, hopping, and stirring the water with its feet to flush hidden prey, unlike the more patient, motionless hunting stance typical of many other herons.
How can you tell a snowy egret from a great egret?
This species is smaller and has a black bill, while the great egret is considerably larger with a yellow bill, a reliable difference between the two similarly white egrets.
Was the snowy egret ever endangered?
Yes, this species was heavily hunted in the late 1800s and early 1900s for its elegant breeding plumes, though it has since recovered substantially and is now classified as Least Concern.