Head to head
Great Egret vs Snowy Egret
The great egret and snowy egret are both pure white herons that were hunted heavily for their plumes, but they differ clearly in size, bill colour, and hunting style.
| Great Egret | Snowy Egret | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ardea alba | Egretta thula |
| Relative size | Large | Smaller |
| Bill colour | Yellow | Black |
| Feet colour | Black | Bright yellow ("golden slippers") |
| Hunting style | Slow, patient stalking | Active foot-stirring |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Wetlands, coastal | Wetlands, coastal |
Great Egret vs Snowy Egret: common questions
How can you tell a great egret from a snowy egret?
The clearest difference is bill colour and size: the great egret has a yellow bill and is considerably larger, while the snowy egret has a black bill and bright yellow feet nicknamed golden slippers.
Which egret hunts more actively, the great egret or the snowy egret?
The snowy egret hunts far more actively, using a distinctive foot-stirring technique to flush hidden prey, while the great egret relies on a slower, more patient stalking style before striking.
Were both the great egret and snowy egret hunted for their plumes?
Yes, both species were hunted heavily during the late 1800s and early 1900s for their elegant breeding plumes, and both have since recovered substantially and are now classified as Least Concern.