Head to head
Snowy Egret vs Little Egret
The snowy egret and little egret look and behave so alike that they are often mistaken for the same species, despite belonging to entirely separate populations on different continents.
| Snowy Egret | Little Egret | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Egretta thula | Egretta garzetta |
| Native range | The Americas | Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia |
| Bill colour | Black | Black |
| Feet colour | Bright yellow | Bright yellow |
| Hunting style | Active foot-stirring | Active foot-stirring |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Wetlands, coastal | Wetlands, coastal |
Snowy Egret vs Little Egret: common questions
Are the snowy egret and little egret the same species?
No, they are separate species that independently evolved an almost identical appearance and hunting style, with the snowy egret native to the Americas and the little egret native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
How can you tell a snowy egret from a little egret?
The two are extremely similar in appearance, and reliably telling them apart usually comes down to location, since the snowy egret is found only in the Americas while the little egret occupies the Old World.
Why do both species have bright yellow feet?
Both species independently evolved bright yellow feet used to stir up shallow water and flush hidden prey into the open, a striking example of two unrelated egrets converging on the same successful hunting strategy.